How many transportation resources are in Minnesota?

Women's Corner tracks 18 transportation resources for women in Minnesota.

Are transportation resources in Minnesota free?

11 of the 18 listed transportation resources in Minnesota are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Minnesota have transportation resources?

Listings span cities including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, Burnsville.

What are some examples of transportation resources in Minnesota?

Featured entries include Metro Transit — Twin Cities, Metro Transit TAP Program — Reduced Fare, Metro Mobility — Twin Cities, Duluth Transit Authority, Rochester Public Transit.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

9 of 18 Minnesota 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.

Best Transportation in Minnesota — 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 Minnesota

Minnesota district courts hear family matters across its 87 counties. The Child Support Enforcement Division operates under DHS. Minneapolis-Saint Paul anchors the state; Rochester, Duluth, and Bloomington follow. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and Violence Free Minnesota (the statewide DV coalition) serve women.

18 Resources

1. Metro Transit — Twin Cities

Metro Transit at 560 6th Ave N in Minneapolis runs the Twin Cities bus and light-rail system, including the Blue Line (Mall of America-Target Field), Green Line (Minneapolis-St. Paul), and 100+ bus routes. Fares are .00-.50, with Go-To Card and the Transit app for mobile payment. Call 612-373-3333 weekdays for trip planning.

612-373-3333 · 560 6th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 · Service hours vary · Visit Website

2. Metro Transit TAP Program — Reduced Fare — Free

Metro Transit's Transit Assistance Program (TAP) provides

fares for income-eligible MN residents in the Twin Cities — half the standard fare. Apply at any Metro Transit Service Center; SNAP, MA, or income proof required. Call 612-373-3333 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for help applying or replacing a lost TAP card.

612-373-3333 · Minneapolis, MN · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Metro Mobility — Twin Cities

Metro Mobility at 390 Robert St in St. Paul is the Twin Cities' ADA-mandated door-to-door paratransit service for women whose disabilities prevent them from using fixed-route buses or light rail. Eligibility requires a functional assessment. Call 651-602-1111 weekdays to apply and schedule the eligibility appointment.

651-602-1111 · 390 Robert St N, St. Paul, MN 55101 · Service hours vary · Visit Website

4. Duluth Transit Authority

DTA at 2402 W Michigan St in Duluth runs bus service across Duluth, Superior WI, Hermantown, and Proctor with the STRIDE paratransit service for riders with disabilities. Standard fare is

.50 with reduced senior and student fares. Call 218-722-7283 Mon-Sat for route help or paratransit eligibility.

218-722-7283 · 2402 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55806 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-10pm · Visit Website

5. Rochester Public Transit

Rochester Public Transit at 4111 11th Ave SW operates bus service across Rochester with downtown circulator routes near Mayo Clinic. Fares are .00 standard. Call 507-328-2423 Mon-Sat for trip planning, ZIPS paratransit eligibility, or 30-day pass questions.

507-328-2423 · 4111 11th Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

6. Minnesota Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation — Free

MN DHS provides Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for MA enrollees who lack transportation to covered medical appointments — including prenatal visits, therapy, and dialysis. Call 866-467-1724 at least three business days in advance to schedule a ride; same-day rides may be available for urgent appointments.

866-467-1724 · Statewide Service · By Appointment · Visit Website

7. St. Cloud Metro Bus

St. Cloud Metro Bus at 510 1st St S runs bus service across St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and Waite Park, plus Dial-A-Ride paratransit for riders with disabilities. Standard fare is

.50. Call 320-251-1499 Mon-Sat for trip planning and fare information.

320-251-1499 · 510 1st St S, St. Cloud, MN 56301 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

8. Jefferson Lines — Intercity Bus

Jefferson Lines operates intercity bus routes connecting Minneapolis to Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, Sioux Falls, Fargo, and other Upper Midwest cities. A useful low-cost option for MN women traveling between cities without a car. Call 800-451-5333 anytime for schedules and reservations.

800-451-5333 · Minneapolis, MN · Service hours vary · Visit Website

9. Minnesota Valley Transit Authority

MVTA at 100 E Traveler Trail in Burnsville runs express and local bus service in the southern Twin Cities suburbs including Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount, Savage, and Prior Lake. Express routes connect to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Call 952-882-7500 weekdays for route help.

952-882-7500 · 100 E Traveler Trail, Burnsville, MN 55337 · Mon-Fri 5am-10pm · Visit Website

10. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's Empire Builder route stops in St. Paul, St. Cloud, Staples, Detroit Lakes, and other MN cities on its Chicago-Seattle run. Reduced fares are available for seniors (15% off), veterans (10% off), and children. Useful for cross-country travel from Minnesota without flying.

Nationwide · Online

11. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound's Minneapolis station and Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud stops connect Minnesota to long-distance bus routes nationwide. Useful low-cost intercity travel option for MN women who do not own a car or cannot afford airfare for cross-country trips.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus and Megabus offer discount intercity bus service from Minneapolis to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and other Midwest cities with fares often starting at $9.99 if booked early. Free WiFi and outlets on most coaches make these competitive with rail for budget-conscious MN travelers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. US Department of Transportation — Free

USDOT is the federal transportation hub coordinating public transit, rail, and accessibility resources. Minnesota's FTA-funded transit systems (Metro Transit, DTA, Rochester Public Transit, etc.) operate under USDOT oversight; the federal site has rider-rights information and ADA complaint processes.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dial 211 from any Minnesota phone to be referred to local transportation assistance — bus passes, medical rides, volunteer driver programs, and gas vouchers — coordinated through United Way and county human services in your area.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

The VA's Veterans Transportation Service provides free rides to VA medical appointments for eligible Minnesota veterans through the Minneapolis VA, St. Cloud VA, and outpatient clinics. Especially valuable for rural-MN women veterans without nearby family or volunteer drivers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare is the broker that arranges Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for some Minnesota MA managed-care enrollees — depending on which MA health plan you are in (UCare, Blue Plus, HealthPartners, etc.). Check the back of your MA card for the correct ride number.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation publishes free senior-driving resources, CarFit assessments, and the SeniorDriving.aaa.com toolkit — useful for Minnesota mothers and adult daughters helping aging parents continue driving safely through MN winters or transition to non-driving alternatives.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC is a federally funded resource center on transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. Useful for Minnesota women researching options for elderly parents in rural counties where fixed-route transit is limited and volunteer-driver programs fill critical gaps.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Minnesota?: Women's Corner tracks 18 transportation resources for women in Minnesota.
Are transportation resources in Minnesota free?: 11 of the 18 listed transportation resources in Minnesota are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Minnesota have transportation resources?: Listings span cities including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, Burnsville.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Minnesota?: Featured entries include Metro Transit — Twin Cities, Metro Transit TAP Program — Reduced Fare, Metro Mobility — Twin Cities, Duluth Transit Authority, Rochester Public Transit.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 9 of 18 Minnesota 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.