Best Transportation in Arkansas — 13 resources

About Transportation for Women

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.

Transportation in Arkansas

Arkansas circuit courts hear family law matters in all 75 counties, with the Office of Child Support Enforcement under the Department of Finance and Administration. Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Springdale are the largest metros. Legal Aid of Arkansas, the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, and the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide help to women.

13 Resources

1. Rock Region METRO — Little Rock

Rock Region METRO operates fixed-route buses, the METRO Streetcar, and METRO LINKS paratransit across Pulaski County including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Maumelle, and Jacksonville. Reduced fares apply for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. The METROtrack app shows real-time arrivals; one-day and 31-day passes are available at lower per-ride cost than cash fares.

501-375-1163 · 310 E Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201 · Routes run Mon-Sat · Visit Website

2. Ozark Regional Transit — NW Arkansas

Ozark Regional Transit operates fixed-route and paratransit services across Benton, Washington, and Madison counties from the Gregg Avenue base in Fayetteville. Routes connect Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville, with limited service to outlying communities. Fares are modest and reduced fares apply for seniors and people with disabilities.

479-756-5901 · 2260 N Gregg Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm

3. Fort Smith Transit

Fort Smith Transit operates fixed-route bus service throughout the Fort Smith metropolitan area including Fort Smith, Barling, and parts of Van Buren. The system has been working through service-expansion plans tied to federal grants. Reduced fares apply for seniors and people with disabilities; complementary paratransit serves riders unable to use fixed routes.

479-783-6464 · Fort Smith, AR 72901 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

4. South Central Arkansas Transit

South Central Arkansas Transit provides demand-response and limited fixed-route transportation in the rural south-central counties of the state including Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, and Drew. Service is typically advance-reserved by phone. Medical transportation for Medicaid-eligible riders may be coordinated through this provider depending on county.

870-836-5108 · South Central AR · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's Texas Eagle route stops in Arkansas at Walnut Ridge, Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope, and Texarkana on its daily run between Chicago and San Antonio. Discounts apply for seniors (65+), veterans, children, and AAA members. The Little Rock station is on the south edge of downtown; check schedules carefully since service is once daily in each direction.

Nationwide · Online

6. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound serves Arkansas with stops in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Texarkana, West Memphis, Pine Bluff, and several smaller cities. Online booking is typically the cheapest option, and advance booking lowers fares further. Useful for mothers traveling between Arkansas cities or to relatives in neighboring states without owning a car.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus, which now owns Greyhound, and Megabus operate discount intercity routes through Arkansas connecting to Memphis, St. Louis, Dallas, and other regional hubs. Fares can be as low as a few dollars when booked weeks in advance. Buses typically have WiFi and power outlets at every seat.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. US Department of Transportation — Free

DOT's website hosts the National Transit Database, accessibility guidance, and federal transportation policy resources. The Federal Transit Administration funds the rural and urban transit systems serving Arkansas through Section 5307 and 5311 grants. Useful for mothers seeking to understand or advocate for expanded transit in their area.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dialing 211 from any Arkansas phone connects to a specialist who can search the database for local transportation help including medical rides, bus pass programs, gas vouchers, and church-based volunteer driver programs. Particularly useful in rural counties where public transit is sparse or nonexistent.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

The VA Veterans Transportation Service offers free rides to VA medical appointments for eligible veterans, including women veterans. Coordinate through the Travel Office at your VA medical center. The Central Arkansas VA system runs vans connecting outlying communities to the Little Rock and North Little Rock campuses.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare manages non-emergency medical transportation for Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries who lack other means to get to covered appointments. Schedule rides at least 48 hours in advance through the call center. Trips cover both routine care and recurring appointments like dialysis or behavioral health.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

The AAA Foundation publishes the Roadwise Rx tool that helps older drivers and family caregivers assess how medications affect driving, plus the CarFit program that adjusts vehicles to fit aging drivers safely. Useful for mothers helping an aging parent decide when to stop driving in Arkansas's car-dependent communities.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC, jointly operated by Easterseals and USAging, provides technical assistance to improve transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. Their tools include transportation-options worksheets and the locator for Arkansas Area Agencies on Aging that coordinate senior transportation programs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Arkansas?
Women's Corner tracks 13 transportation resources for women in Arkansas.
Are transportation resources in Arkansas free?
9 of the 13 listed transportation resources in Arkansas are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Arkansas have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Arkansas?
Featured entries include Rock Region METRO — Little Rock, Ozark Regional Transit — NW Arkansas, Fort Smith Transit, South Central Arkansas Transit, Amtrak.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
4 of 13 Arkansas transportation listings include phone numbers.
How do I get a free bus pass?
Most transit agencies have reduced or free passes for low-income riders, seniors, students, and people with disabilities — apply through the transit agency directly. TANF and SNAP recipients often qualify for free passes through state Human Services. Domestic violence shelters, job training programs, and recovery programs typically provide transit passes for participants.
Are there free rides to medical appointments?
Yes. Medicaid in every state covers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — call your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to schedule rides to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, and pharmacy. American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery and Angel Flight provide free transportation for cancer and serious illness. 211 can find local volunteer driver programs.
Can I get help buying or fixing a car?
Yes — Ways to Work, Modest Needs, Vehicles for Change, and 1-800-Charity-Cars provide low-interest loans or donated vehicles to low-income working parents. Many state TANF programs have car repair funds for parents who need transportation for work. Local United Way 211 has the most current list — funds rotate.
What if I have no transportation to my job?
Tell your American Job Center caseworker — WIOA can fund transportation as a 'supportive service' including bus passes, gas cards, and car repair. SNAP E&T and TANF work programs also pay for transportation. Many employers in low-wage industries (logistics, healthcare) now offer transit stipends or shuttle service from designated pickup points.