Best Transportation in Nebraska — 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 Nebraska

Nebraska district courts hear family matters in each of its 93 counties, with many counties using county court for paternity and child support. The Child Support Enforcement division operates under DHHS. Omaha and Lincoln dominate the state's population. Legal Aid of Nebraska and the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services to women.

13 Resources

1. Nebraska DHHS — Transportation Assistance — Free

DHHS Transportation Assistance pays for transportation tied to TANF self-sufficiency activities and Medicaid non-emergency medical rides through MTM contractor. Mothers in the Employment First program can request gas cards, bus passes, or transit reimbursement; call 800-383-4278 to check eligibility through your local DHHS worker.

800-383-4278 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Metro Transit — Paratransit Omaha

Metro's MOBY paratransit, an ADA-complementary curb-to-curb service for riders with disabilities, runs the same hours as fixed-route Omaha buses. Eligibility requires an application and in-person assessment; fares run .50 per one-way trip. Call 402-341-0800 to apply or schedule rides 1-3 days in advance.

402-341-0800 · Omaha, NE · Service hours vary · Visit Website

3. StarTran Handi-Van — Lincoln

StarTran's Handi-Van is Lincoln's ADA paratransit option for women whose disabilities prevent fixed-route bus use. Eligibility application and assessment happen at the StarTran office on the LinTran property; fares are one-way. Call 402-476-1234 to apply for certification.

402-476-1234 · Lincoln, NE · Service hours vary · Visit Website

4. Black Hills Stage Lines — Rural Transit

Black Hills Stage Lines runs scheduled motor-coach service across rural Nebraska, connecting Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, and points west to Denver, Rapid City, and beyond. Tickets can be booked online; senior, military, and student discounts apply. Call 800-781-2417 for schedules.

800-781-2417 · Rural Nebraska routes · Schedule varies

5. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's California Zephyr passes through Nebraska with stops at Omaha and Lincoln, connecting to Chicago east and Denver/Sacramento west. The Senior (62+), child, military, and student discounts can save 10-20%; the Amtrak Auto Train doesn't reach Nebraska but transcontinental travel is the realistic use here.

Nationwide · Online

6. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound serves Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte, and several smaller Nebraska cities with intercity bus connections nationwide. Tickets purchased 14+ days in advance offer significant savings; the GreyhoundConnect partnership extends service into rural towns that don't have a dedicated terminal.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus (which acquired Greyhound) and Megabus offer discount intercity routes from Omaha and Lincoln to Kansas City, Denver, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Fares often start at $5-

5; the early-bird booking window is roughly 30-60 days out. Both carriers offer free WiFi and outlets on most routes.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. US Department of Transportation — Free

DOT.gov is the federal portal that links to the Federal Transit Administration (which funds Nebraska's transit operators), the FAA, and rail/highway agencies. Mothers interested in transit advocacy or federal complaints (accessibility violations under the ADA) start here.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dialing 211 or visiting 211.org returns Nebraska transportation resources — bus-pass programs, gas-card grants for medical visits, volunteer-driver programs in rural counties, and Medicaid NEMT contacts. The navigator can warm-transfer you to the right local provider.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

VA's Veterans Transportation Service offers free rides to VA medical appointments at the Omaha VAMC and Lincoln CBOC for eligible veterans. Schedule rides through the VTS office at each facility; the program is separate from Beneficiary Travel mileage reimbursement, which works for veterans driving themselves.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare is the contractor managing Nebraska Medicaid's non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for Heritage Health enrollees. Members call 24-72 hours ahead to schedule rides to medical appointments at no charge; pickup windows are typically 30-60 minutes.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation's senior driving research, CarFit assessments, and Roadwise Driver course help older mothers (and their adult children) decide when driving retirement is needed. Free downloadable family-conversation guides make a difficult conversation more navigable.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC is funded by the FTA to improve transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. Their state-by-state directory shows Nebraska's coordinated-mobility programs and what's available in rural areas where fixed-route transit doesn't run. Useful for caregivers planning ahead.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Nebraska?
Women's Corner tracks 13 transportation resources for women in Nebraska.
Are transportation resources in Nebraska free?
10 of the 13 listed transportation resources in Nebraska are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Nebraska have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Omaha, Lincoln.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Nebraska?
Featured entries include Nebraska DHHS — Transportation Assistance, Metro Transit — Paratransit Omaha, StarTran Handi-Van — Lincoln, Black Hills Stage Lines — Rural Transit, Amtrak.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
4 of 13 Nebraska 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.