Best Transportation in Washington — 16 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 Washington

Washington superior courts handle family matters in each of its 39 counties. The Division of Child Support operates under DSHS. Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue are the major metros. Northwest Justice Project, the King County Bar, and the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

16 Resources

1. King County Metro ORCA LIFT

ORCA LIFT is King County Metro's reduced-fare card for low-income Washington residents —

fare on Metro buses, Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail, and water taxis. Qualify with proof of income at any human services agency. 206-553-3000 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

206-553-3000 · 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Pierce Transit Reduced Fare Program

Pierce Transit at 3701 96th St SW in Lakewood offers discounted fares for low-income riders, seniors, people with disabilities, and youth. Apply at any Pierce Transit Customer Service center. 253-581-8000 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

253-581-8000 · 3701 96th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Spokane Transit Authority Paratransit

Spokane Transit Paratransit at 1230 W Boone Ave provides door-to-door ADA-eligible service for Spokane County residents unable to use fixed-route buses — apply with medical documentation. 509-328-7433 Mon-Sat 5am-11pm.

509-328-7433 · 1230 W Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 · Mon-Sat 5am-11pm · Visit Website

4. HopeLink Transportation — Free

Hopelink Transportation at 14812 Main St in Bellevue runs free Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for east King County and Snohomish County Apple Health members. Also operates the Mobility Management call center routing seniors and disabled riders. 425-943-6760 Mon-Fri 6am-6pm.

425-943-6760 · 14812 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98007 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

5. Catholic Community Services Transportation — Free

Catholic Community Services at 100 23rd Ave S in Seattle runs the Volunteer Services Transportation program with volunteer drivers giving free rides to medical appointments for low-income seniors and disabled women in King County. 206-328-5696 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.

206-328-5696 · 100 23rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. Intercity Transit Dial-A-Lift - Olympia

Intercity Transit Dial-A-Lift at 526 Pattison St SE in Olympia provides ADA paratransit for Thurston County riders unable to use the fully-fare-free Intercity Transit fixed-route buses. 360-786-8585 Mon-Sat 6am-10pm.

360-786-8585 · 526 Pattison St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

7. Community Transit DART Paratransit

Community Transit DART at 7100 Hardeson Rd in Everett provides ADA paratransit for Snohomish County residents unable to use fixed-route buses or commuter coach service. 425-353-7433 Mon-Sat 5am-10pm.

425-353-7433 · 7100 Hardeson Rd, Everett, WA 98203 · Mon-Sat 5am-10pm · Visit Website

8. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's Cascades service connects Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Centralia, Kelso/Longview, Vancouver WA, and continues to Portland and Vancouver BC. Empire Builder service runs east to Spokane and beyond.

Nationwide · Online

9. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound stops in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, and other Washington cities connect to Portland, San Francisco, and points east. Discounted fares for students and veterans.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus serves Seattle, Bellingham, and Tacoma with low-cost intercity trips to Portland, Vancouver BC, and Spokane. Tickets start at $9.99 when booked weeks ahead.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. US Department of Transportation — Free

USDOT publishes federal transit grants that fund Washington's transit systems and the Sound Transit ST3 expansion — a multi-decade rail expansion across the Puget Sound region.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dial 211 from any Washington phone to find one-time rides for medical appointments, food bank visits, or DV escape — including church-volunteer programs not on transit websites.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

VA Puget Sound runs free shuttles from communities across western Washington to the main Seattle and American Lake campuses for veterans needing appointments. Mann-Grandstaff provides similar service in eastern WA.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Washington's Apple Health Non-Emergency Medical Transportation is administered through regional brokers including Hopelink, Northwest Regional Council, and Paratransit Services — not Modivcare statewide.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation's CarFit program helps older Washington drivers — including mothers and grandmothers — adjust their vehicle for safe operation as their physical abilities change.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Washington?
Women's Corner tracks 16 transportation resources for women in Washington.
Are transportation resources in Washington free?
11 of the 16 listed transportation resources in Washington are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Washington have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Seattle, Lakewood, Spokane, Bellevue, Olympia, Everett.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Washington?
Featured entries include King County Metro ORCA LIFT, Pierce Transit Reduced Fare Program, Spokane Transit Authority Paratransit, HopeLink Transportation, Catholic Community Services Transportation.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
7 of 16 Washington 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.