Best Transportation in South Dakota — 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 South Dakota

South Dakota circuit courts hear family matters in each of its seven judicial circuits. The Division of Child Support operates under DSS. Sioux Falls and Rapid City are the largest cities. Dakota Plains Legal Services, East River Legal Services, and the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

18 Resources

1. Sioux Area Metro (SAM) — Sioux Falls

Public bus transit system serving the Sioux Falls metro area with fixed routes and paratransit for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Sat 6am-7pm.

605-367-7151 · 700 E 3rd St, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

2. Rapid Transit System — Rapid City

Public bus service providing fixed routes for women needing transportation assistance in Rapid City. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Fri 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-5pm.

605-394-6631 · 333 6th St, Rapid City, SD 57701 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. River Cities Transit — Pierre

Public transit and demand-response service for women needing transportation assistance in South Dakota. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm.

605-945-2360 · Pierre, SD 57501 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm

4. Aberdeen Ride Line

Public transit bus service providing rides throughout the Aberdeen area for women needing transportation assistance in South Dakota. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm.

605-626-7015 · Aberdeen, SD 57401 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Watertown Area Transit

Demand-response public transit serving the Watertown community for women needing transportation assistance in South Dakota. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm.

605-882-6267 · Watertown, SD 57201 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Brookings Area Transit Authority (BATA)

Public transit service providing rides in the Brookings area including SDSU campus for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm.

605-692-4224 · Brookings, SD 57006 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm

7. Jefferson Lines — Intercity Bus

Intercity bus service connecting South Dakota communities along major corridors for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Varies by route.

800-451-5333 · Multiple SD stops · Varies by route · Visit Website

8. Prairie Hills Transit — Spearfish/Black Hills

Public transit serving communities in the northern Black Hills including Spearfish and Sturgis for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm.

605-642-6668 · Spearfish, SD 57799 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · Visit Website

9. SD DOT — Rural Transit Programs — Free

State coordination of rural transit services providing transportation access for women needing transportation assistance in Pierre. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Eligibility requirements vary; call ahead to learn about service area and scheduling. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-773-3265 · 700 E Broadway Ave, Pierre, SD 57501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Amtrak — Free

National passenger rail service with discounts for seniors, veterans, and children for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online

11. Greyhound — Free

Long-distance intercity bus service across the United States for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at greyhound.com with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

Discount intercity bus services with low fares and free WiFi on most routes for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at megabus.com with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. US Department of Transportation — Free

Federal transportation hub with public transit, rail, and accessibility resources for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at transportation.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dial 211 for referrals to local transportation assistance, medical rides, and bus pass programs for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at 211.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

Free VA transportation to medical appointments for eligible veterans. Contact local VA medical center for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at va.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Non-emergency medical transportation for Medicaid recipients in many states for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at modivcare.com with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

Senior driving resources, safety programs, and CarFit assessments for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at aaafoundation.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC — federal resource on transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities for women needing transportation assistance. Services include rides to medical appointments, job interviews, court, and essential errands. Available online 24/7 at nadtc.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in South Dakota?
Women's Corner tracks 18 transportation resources for women in South Dakota.
Are transportation resources in South Dakota free?
10 of the 18 listed transportation resources in South Dakota are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in South Dakota have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings.
What are some examples of transportation resources in South Dakota?
Featured entries include Sioux Area Metro (SAM) — Sioux Falls, Rapid Transit System — Rapid City, River Cities Transit — Pierre, Aberdeen Ride Line, Watertown Area Transit.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 18 South Dakota 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.