Transportation assistance helps women get to work, court, prenatal appointments, childcare, and DV shelters. Public transit passes are often free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT, which covers rides to all covered medical visits at no cost), and WIC. Many workforce and job training programs include bus passes, and the Ways to Work program funds low-interest car loans for working parents. Domestic violence shelters often coordinate confidential relocation transportation through VAWA-funded programs. In rural areas, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs operate through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance.
Arizona handles custody (called 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time') in superior courts across all 15 counties. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DES. Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Chandler are the largest metros. Community Legal Services, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, and the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence support women statewide.
Valley Metro operates buses across all of Maricopa County plus the 30-mile light-rail line from Mesa through Tempe to West Phoenix and the Northwest Extension. The Platinum Pass for low-income riders cuts fares roughly in half. Call 602-253-5000 for trip planning.
602-253-5000 · 101 N 1st Ave Suite 1400, Phoenix, AZ 85003 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website
Sun Tran's 40+ bus routes plus the Sun Link streetcar from the U of A through downtown to the Mercado make up Tucson's main public transit. Sun Tran Economy Fare offers half-price rides to low-income riders. Call 520-792-9222 for schedules.
520-792-9222 · 3920 S Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85714 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website
Valley Metro's paratransit service for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot use the fixed-route bus. Eligibility requires an in-person assessment. Mothers caring for elderly parents can apply for them. Call 602-253-5000 to start the application.
602-253-5000 · Phoenix metro area · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website
Mountain Line runs Flagstaff's seven bus routes free of charge — yes, completely free since 2018 — plus the seasonal Mountain Express to Snowbowl. Headquartered at 3773 N Kaspar. Call 928-779-6624 for route info.
928-779-6624 · 3773 N Kaspar Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website
DES bundles transportation help into Jobs Program, child-care subsidy, and TANF cases when transportation is the barrier to employment — bus passes, gas cards, or in some cases vehicle repair. Call 855-432-7587 to ask your caseworker.
855-432-7587 · 1789 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website
Lyft partners with Arizona nonprofits and AHCCCS plans to provide subsidized rides to medical appointments, job interviews, and food pantries through programs like Lyft Up. Riders qualify through partner agencies — not by signing up directly.
Statewide service · 24/7 · Visit Website
YCAT runs five fixed routes serving Yuma, Somerton, San Luis, and Foothills, plus Dial-a-Ride paratransit. The terminal at 2715 E 14th St is the main transfer point. Reduced fares for seniors and disabled riders. Call 928-783-2235.
928-783-2235 · 2715 E 14th St, Yuma, AZ 85365 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm
Scottsdale's four trolley routes are free to all riders — Old Town, Camelback, Downtown, and Miller. Useful for Scottsdale moms running errands without driving and parking downtown. Call 480-312-7696 for current routes.
480-312-7696 · Downtown Scottsdale, AZ 85251 · Daily 11am-9pm · Visit Website
Amtrak's Sunset Limited and Southwest Chief stop in Tucson, Maricopa, Flagstaff, Williams Junction, Winslow, and Kingman — useful for Arizona moms making long-distance trips without flying. Senior discount 10% for age 65+; kids 2-12 ride half-price.
Nationwide · Online
Greyhound stops in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, Nogales, and 10+ other Arizona cities. Lowest-cost long-distance option, with advance-purchase fares often under $50 between Phoenix and Tucson. Free WiFi and power outlets on most coaches.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
FlixBus runs daily Phoenix-Tucson, Phoenix-Las Vegas, and Phoenix-Los Angeles routes — sometimes for $9.99 when booked early. Pickup is at curbside stops rather than terminals, so confirm location before travel.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
USDOT funds Arizona's federal-aid highways, transit grants, and the Section 5310 paratransit program for seniors and disabled riders. Their consumer page explains air-passenger rights when a flight disrupts an Arizona family's travel.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Dial 211 in Arizona to get connected with bus-pass programs, medical-transportation, gas-card emergency aid, and DV-safety relocation. Operators have a curated Arizona referral database.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
VTS provides free van service to VA medical appointments for women veterans at Phoenix, Tucson, and Prescott VAs. The Beneficiary Travel program also reimburses mileage for service-connected travel. Apply through your VA enrollment coordinator.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Modivcare is the contracted non-emergency medical transportation broker for several Arizona AHCCCS plans, including Mercy Care and Banner. Schedule rides at least 3 business days ahead through your AHCCCS plan's member-services line.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
AAA Arizona offers the CarFit clinic helping seniors adjust their vehicles for safer driving, plus the Roadwise Driver online refresher course — useful for Arizona mothers monitoring an aging parent's driving safety.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NADTC publishes Arizona-specific guides on Mobility Management programs run through county aging offices like the Area Agency on Aging Region One in Phoenix and Pima Council on Aging in Tucson.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website