Best Transportation in Massachusetts — 18 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 Massachusetts

Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts handle divorce, custody, paternity, and child support in each of its 14 counties. The Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division runs enforcement. Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, and Lowell are the largest cities. Greater Boston Legal Services, Community Legal Aid, Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Jane Doe Inc. (MA DV/SA coalition) serve women.

18 Resources

1. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

The MBTA at 10 Park Plaza in Boston operates subway, bus, commuter rail, ferry, and The RIDE paratransit across 175+ Massachusetts cities and towns. Reduced-fare CharlieCards are available for women age 65+, those with disabilities, and TAFDC/SNAP recipients via the new income-based fare program piloted in 2024. Call 617-222-3200 weekdays for fare and accessibility questions.

617-222-3200 · 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3910, Boston, MA 02116 · Service hours vary by line · Visit Website

2. MassHealth Transportation — PT-1 — Free

MassHealth members can request the PT-1 non-emergency medical transportation benefit for free rides to MassHealth-covered medical appointments, dental visits, behavioral health sessions, and methadone clinics. Rides are coordinated through regional brokers. Call 800-841-2900 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the PT-1 form must be signed by the medical provider. Free for eligible MassHealth members.

800-841-2900 · Statewide Service · By Appointment · Visit Website

3. Regional Transit Authorities of Massachusetts

Massachusetts's 15 Regional Transit Authorities — PVTA, WRTA, MART, GATRA, CCRTA, BRTA (Berkshire), MeVa (Merrimack Valley), LRTA (Lowell), MWRTA (MetroWest), and others — provide fixed-route bus service outside MBTA coverage. Reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, and (in some RTAs) TAFDC/SNAP recipients. Find your local RTA at mass.gov/regional-transit-authorities.

617-onal-rta · Statewide — 15 Regions · Service hours vary · Visit Website

4. Good News Garage Massachusetts — Free

Good News Garage donates refurbished vehicles to low-income Massachusetts working mothers and individuals who need reliable transportation for employment, training, or family caregiving. Apply through partner agencies (DTA, MassHire, JVS, Goodwill). Call 877-448-3588 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm to inquire about the application process. Free vehicle awards plus modest registration costs covered by donor.

877-448-3588 · Statewide Program · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. PVTA — Pioneer Valley Transit Authority

PVTA at 2808 Main Street in Springfield is the largest RTA in Massachusetts after the MBTA, operating bus service across Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Northampton, Amherst, Easthampton, and 18 other Hampden and Hampshire county communities. Reduced fares for seniors and disabled riders. Call 413-781-7882 for fare and route information.

413-781-7882 · 2808 Main St, Springfield, MA 01107 · Service hours vary · Visit Website

6. WRTA — Worcester Regional Transit Authority

WRTA at 287 Grove Street in Worcester operates fare-free bus service (an experiment running since 2020) on all WRTA fixed routes across Worcester, Auburn, Millbury, Shrewsbury, West Boylston, and 32 other Worcester County communities. Paratransit available for ADA-eligible riders. Call 508-791-9782 for route information. Currently free for all riders.

508-791-9782 · 287 Grove St, Worcester, MA 01605 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-10pm · Visit Website

7. MART — Montachusett Regional Transit Authority

MART at 1427 Water Street in Fitchburg operates bus service across Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, and 20+ north-central Massachusetts communities, plus the dial-a-ride program for seniors and disabled riders. Reduced fares for eligible riders. Call 978-345-7711 Mon-Sat 6am-7pm for route and paratransit information.

978-345-7711 · 1427 Water St, Fitchburg, MA 01420 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

8. GATRA — Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit

GATRA at 10 Oak Street in Taunton operates bus and dial-a-ride paratransit service across Attleboro, Taunton, Plymouth, Wareham, Bourne, and 23 other southeastern Massachusetts communities. Reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, and Medicare cardholders. Call 508-222-6106 Mon-Fri 6am-7pm.

508-222-6106 · 10 Oak St, Taunton, MA 02780 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm · Visit Website

9. Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority

CCRTA at 591 Main Street in Dennis operates bus service (Sealine, Hyannis Loop, H2O Line, Provincetown Shuttle, and more), seasonal beach shuttles, and DART paratransit across all 15 Cape Cod towns from Bourne to Provincetown. Reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, and youth. Call 508-385-1430 Mon-Sat 6am-8pm.

508-385-1430 · 591 Main St, Suite 7, Dennis, MA 02638 · Mon-Sat 6am-8pm · Visit Website

10. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (Acela and Northeast Regional) serves Massachusetts at South Station and Back Bay (Boston), Route 128 (Westwood), and Worcester, plus the Lake Shore Limited at Springfield, Pittsfield, and points west. Discounts for seniors (65+), veterans, AAA members, and children. Massachusetts mothers can also use the Vermonter and Hartford Line through Springfield.

Nationwide · Online

11. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound operates intercity bus service from South Station Boston to NYC, Hartford, Providence, Worcester, Springfield, and beyond. Massachusetts mothers can use Greyhound for affordable long-distance travel where Amtrak is cost-prohibitive. Locator at greyhound.com; senior, military, and child discounts apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus and Megabus operate low-cost intercity service from Boston (South Station and South End) to NYC, Hartford, Albany, Providence, and other regional cities — often at $5-25 fares booked in advance. Useful for Massachusetts mothers traveling to family or appointments outside the state without a car. Free WiFi on most routes.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. US Department of Transportation — Free

USDOT oversees FTA funding flowing to the MBTA, the 15 Massachusetts RTAs, and Massachusetts paratransit programs. Useful for Massachusetts mothers researching ADA compliance, fare equity, or rural transit policy. Free public resources at transportation.gov.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dial 2-1-1 from any Massachusetts phone for Mass 2-1-1's free 24/7 referrals to local transportation assistance, MassHealth PT-1 enrollment help, RTA reduced-fare programs, and volunteer driver programs run by Councils on Aging across the state. Free, multilingual.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

VA's Veterans Transportation Service provides free rides to VA Boston (West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Brockton), Bedford VA, and VA Central Western MA (Leeds) for veterans without other transportation options. Contact the social work department at your VA medical center. Free for eligible Massachusetts veterans.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare (formerly LogistiCare) is one of MassHealth's PT-1 transportation brokers, coordinating non-emergency medical rides for MassHealth members in parts of Massachusetts. Useful for Massachusetts MassHealth members who've been told their region uses Modivcare. Free for eligible MassHealth members.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation runs CarFit assessments and senior driver safety programs offered at sites across Massachusetts including Councils on Aging and AAA Pioneer Valley/Northeast branches. Useful for Massachusetts mothers helping an aging parent assess driving fitness. Free or low-cost programs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC publishes federal resources on transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities — relevant for Massachusetts mothers coordinating rides for an aging parent through Councils on Aging, ASAPs, and the RTAs. Free public resource at nadtc.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Massachusetts?
Women's Corner tracks 18 transportation resources for women in Massachusetts.
Are transportation resources in Massachusetts free?
11 of the 18 listed transportation resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Massachusetts have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Boston, Springfield, Worcester, Fitchburg, Taunton, Dennis.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Massachusetts?
Featured entries include Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), MassHealth Transportation — PT-1, Regional Transit Authorities of Massachusetts, Good News Garage Massachusetts, PVTA — Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 18 Massachusetts 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.