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Learning About Getting Help With Transportation

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Transportation is how we get around every day. It includes buses, trains, bicycles, scooters, cars, and walking. When you don't have transportation that you can rely on, it's harder to earn money, buy food, visit friends, and go to doctor visits. And this can affect your health.

Many places deliver food and other items, sometimes for free or low cost. For local resources, talk to your doctor or a faith leader, or ask at a senior center.

You can also find help by going online to findhelp.org or 211.org or by calling 211.

Where can you get help?

The programs that offer help with transportation will depend on where you live. And you may need to give some information to help you qualify, such as your income, your age, or if you have refugee status. To find out more about a program, try looking it up online or asking at your local library. Here are some other tips and online resources.

  • Reduced fare programs. They give low-cost bus or train passes to older people, people with disabilities, and people with Medicaid. Ask your doctor about these programs. Or call your local public transit agency.

  • Non-emergency medical transportation. It gives free rides to and from doctor visits. It's for people enrolled in Medicaid or certain private insurance plans. Call or go online to your state Medicaid agency or private insurance plan to learn more.

  • Virtual care. If it's hard for you to travel to doctor visits, ask your doctor about virtual care. You use a computer, phone, or other device to talk to a doctor or nurse.

  • Free or reduced cost food delivery and rides. The United Way, Lyft, and other programs will deliver food and give rides to work, grocery stores, and other places.

    • 211.org (or call 211)

  • Volunteer driver programs. Programs in your area may give free rides or deliver food for free. Try calling a local senior center or food bank to learn more.

    • ctaa.org/nvtc-map
    • eldercare.acl.gov

  • Veterans Transportation Program. It gives rides to veterans going to doctor visits.

    • va.gov/healthbenefits/vtp

  • Electric bike and scooter rentals. There may be low-cost or free bike and scooter rentals in your area. The company Lime offers a program in some cities.

    • li.me/why/community

  • Ride sharing apps. If you don't mind sharing a ride with others, Uber offers lower fares in some cities.

    • uber.com/us/en/ride/uberx-share

  • Carpooling. Try searching online to see if there's a carpooling program in your area.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.