Best Transportation in Idaho — 12 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 Idaho

Idaho magistrate divisions handle custody matters within the district courts. The Child Support Services division within the Department of Health and Welfare runs enforcement. Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Idaho Falls are the largest cities. Idaho Legal Aid Services and the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence provide free family law and safety help to women statewide.

12 Resources

1. Valley Regional Transit — Boise

Valley Regional Transit operates fixed-route buses and ACCESS paratransit serving Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell. ValleyRide buses run weekdays and Saturdays with limited Sunday service. Reduced fares apply for seniors, disabled riders, and Medicare cardholders. The Bus on Demand service in selected areas lets riders request curb-side pickup. Call 208-345-7433.

208-345-7433 · 700 NE 2nd St Suite 100, Meridian, ID 83642 · Routes run Mon-Sat · Visit Website

2. Targhee Regional Public Transit — Idaho Falls

Targhee Regional Public Transportation Authority operates buses serving Idaho Falls, Ammon, Pocatello, Driggs, and Jackson Hole connections. Routes serve major employment, medical, and shopping destinations. The agency also offers dial-a-ride paratransit for ADA-eligible riders within service areas. Call 208-522-2876 for schedules and reduced-fare programs.

208-522-2876 · Idaho Falls, ID · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

3. Kootenai County Community Transit — CDA

Kootenai County's Citylink and Rural Service connect Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Worley, and tribal communities under the umbrella of CDA's transit operations. The Citylink service is fare-free in many corridors and the rural routes connect outlying communities to the regional hub. Call 208-664-9769 for current routes.

208-664-9769 · Coeur d'Alene, ID · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm

4. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's Empire Builder route runs through Sandpoint at unusual hours but offers connections to Spokane, Chicago, Portland, and Seattle. Idaho has no rail service south of Sandpoint, so most Idaho long-distance travel runs through Salt Lake City connections. Discounts apply for seniors, veterans, children, and Amtrak Guest Rewards members.

Nationwide · Online

5. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound serves Idaho's I-84 and I-86 corridors with stops in Boise, Mountain Home, Twin Falls, Burley, and Pocatello, connecting to Salt Lake City and Portland. Greyhound's loyalty program offers discounts to frequent riders. The fold-down WiFi and outlets make multi-hour Idaho trips more bearable for mothers traveling with children.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus expanded into the western U.S. acquiring Greyhound North America and now offers low-cost intercity service through Idaho's main corridors. Online-booked fares often start at $5 or less when purchased in advance. Routes include Boise-Salt Lake City, Boise-Portland, and connections east. Free WiFi and reclining seats on most routes.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. US Department of Transportation — Free

DOT's mobility portal explains rural transit funding, the Federal Transit Administration's grants to Idaho providers, and Title VI civil rights protections in transportation. The Rides to Wellness initiative connects transit with healthcare for rural patients. Idaho's small transit systems rely heavily on FTA Section 5311 rural funding.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dialing 211 in Idaho connects to Idaho CareLine specialists who maintain databases of medical transportation, gas card programs, and reduced-fare bus passes. Many Idaho hospitals and senior centers also offer volunteer driver programs for medical appointments. 211 specialists can connect callers to faith-based ride networks as well.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

The VA Boise Medical Center runs a Veterans Transportation Service shuttle network to bring veterans to medical appointments from across Idaho. DAV transportation supplements VTS at no cost. Eligible veterans can also receive Beneficiary Travel mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use to VA appointments through the va.gov travel pay portal.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare is the non-emergency medical transportation broker for Idaho Medicaid, scheduling rides for Medicaid members to covered medical appointments. Mothers can book rides at 877-503-1261 with at least two business days' notice. The service is free at the point of use for eligible Medicaid members traveling to plan-covered appointments.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation publishes free research on teen driver safety, older driver assessments, and CarFit evaluations that help drivers adjust seats, mirrors, and pedals for safer driving. Idaho AAA offices in Boise, Idaho Falls, and Coeur d'Alene host occasional CarFit events. Senior driving resources help mothers think through transitions for aging parents.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC offers technical assistance to Idaho transit providers serving older adults and people with disabilities. The center publishes the One Call/One Click directory connecting riders with all available options in their community. Idaho rural and small-urban transit providers use NADTC resources to improve service quality and ADA compliance.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Idaho?
Women's Corner tracks 12 transportation resources for women in Idaho.
Are transportation resources in Idaho free?
9 of the 12 listed transportation resources in Idaho are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Idaho have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Meridian, Idaho Falls, Coeur d'Alene.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Idaho?
Featured entries include Valley Regional Transit — Boise, Targhee Regional Public Transit — Idaho Falls, Kootenai County Community Transit — CDA, Amtrak, Greyhound.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
3 of 12 Idaho 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.