Need Help Getting There? Free & Low-Cost Transportation for Michigan Families
You found the resource. Now how are you supposed to get there?
Yesterday, we shared a big list of Michigan resources for moms and families.
WIC.
Rx Kids.
Child care assistance.
Health care.
MI Bridges.
Food assistance.
Home visiting.
Utility help.
Local Flint and Genesee County programs.
But there is another problem that doesn't get talked about enough:
What if you can't afford to get there?
Maybe you don't have a car.
Maybe your car isn't running.
Maybe you can't afford gas.
Maybe you don't have anyone who can drive you.
Maybe you have children with you.
Or maybe the resource you need is across town or even outside your community.
Transportation can become the barrier between a family and the help they already qualify for.
So today, we're talking about something just as important as knowing where the resources are:
How to get there.
First: Don't Assume You Have to Pay for the Ride
There are transportation programs throughout Michigan that may be able to help families get to:
Medical appointments
Health and wellness services
Pharmacies
Grocery stores
WIC appointments
Community services
Essential appointments
Other qualifying destinations
Some programs are free for qualifying riders.
Some are covered through Medicaid.
Some are reduced-cost transportation.
Some are available because of age or disability.
And some depend on your location or the type of appointment you need.
The most important thing to remember is:
Ask before assuming you can't get there.
1. If You Have Medicaid, Ask About Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
If you have Michigan Medicaid or the Healthy Michigan Plan, transportation may be available for covered services.
Michigan Medicaid Health Plans are required to cover non-emergency medical transportation for their members for Medicaid-covered services.
That can include transportation to qualifying health care services.
What should you do?
Look at your Medicaid or Healthy Michigan Plan card.
Find the name of your health plan.
Then call the member-services number on the back of your card.
Tell them:
"I have a Medicaid-covered appointment and I need transportation. Do you provide non-emergency medical transportation?"
Ask:
Do I qualify?
How far in advance do I need to schedule?
Can you pick me up at home?
Can my child or caregiver ride with me?
Is there anything my doctor's office needs to provide?
How do I schedule the ride?
Do not wait until the morning of your appointment.
Transportation rules and scheduling requirements can vary by health plan.
Michigan Medicaid Help
Beneficiary Help Line:
1-800-642-3195
Michigan Medicaid transportation information:
[Michigan Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation]
Important: If you are enrolled in a Medicaid Health Plan, your health plan is generally the first place to call for NEMT.
2. Flint Has Rides to Wellness
If you live in the Flint/Genesee County area, one of the most important transportation resources to know about is MTA Flint's Rides to Wellness.
Rides to Wellness provides non-emergency transportation for medical and health-and-wellness-related appointments.
It offers:
Mobility management
Door-to-door service
Same-day service
Pre-scheduled transportation
Call:
810-780-8946
Hours listed for the service:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Website:
[MTA Flint Rides to Wellness]
The service is available to members of the general public who live within MTA's service area, but free transportation depends on qualifying through one of the partner programs.
That distinction is important.
3. FREE Rides Through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
This is one of the programs we especially want Flint-area families to know about.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with MTA Flint to provide FREE rides to health and wellness destinations for eligible riders.
The current MTA information says eligible riders must:
Have an active and open MDHHS case number
Contact their Medicaid/HMO before calling Rides to Wellness
Live in one of the participating ZIP codes
The currently listed ZIP codes are:
48501, 48502, 48503, 48504, 48505, 48506, 48507, and 48532
The program can provide transportation to destinations such as:
Doctor appointments
Pharmacies
Grocery stores
Flint Farmers' Market
Help Centers
Other health and wellness destinations
How to get the FREE ride
Step 1: Contact your Medicaid/HMO first.
Step 2: Ask about transportation assistance.
Step 3: Then call MTA Rides to Wellness.
810-780-8946
The current MTA flyer says the program offers same-day service.
Important:
Don't assume you qualify simply because you live in Flint.
Check the current eligibility requirements before scheduling.
4. Genesee Health Plan May Offer FREE Rides for Eligible Spanish-Speaking Clients
MTA Flint also lists Genesee Health Plan as a Rides to Wellness partner.
The current MTA information states that Genesee Health Plan offers FREE rides to health and wellness destinations for its Spanish-speaking clients.
Health Navigator:
810-339-6389
If you are a Genesee Health Plan client and transportation is a barrier, ask whether you qualify for this transportation assistance.
5. FREE Transportation for Qualifying Veterans
If you are a veteran living in Genesee County, make sure you know about Vets to Wellness.
Genesee County Veterans Services has partnered with MTA Flint to provide FREE transportation to qualifying veterans and their spouses.
Transportation can be used for destinations such as:
Doctor appointments
Pharmacies
Grocery stores
Farmers' markets
Other community resources
Eligibility
The current program information says veterans must:
Have an honorable discharge
Live in Genesee County
Establish eligibility through Genesee County Veterans Services
Veterans and their spouses can receive up to six trips per month under the current program information.
First step:
Call Genesee County Veterans Services:
810-257-3068
Then ask about Vets to Wellness transportation.
MTA Vets to Wellness:
[MTA Rides to Wellness — Vets to Wellness]
6. MTA Your Ride
What if you can't use a regular MTA bus?
MTA's Your Ride is personalized public transportation for people who are unable to use fixed-route bus service because of age, disability, or because fixed-route service is not available to them.
Your Ride provides curb-to-curb service throughout Genesee County for people who qualify.
Door-to-door service may also be available through Rides to Wellness and non-emergency medical transportation when requested and approved.
Schedule a ride:
810-767-5541
MTA says trips should be arranged at least one day in advance.
Service hours:
Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 6:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Website:
[MTA Flint Your Ride]
Important:
Your Ride is not automatically free for every rider. Eligibility and fares depend on the service being used.
If you think you qualify because of disability, age, or lack of available fixed-route service, ask MTA about your eligibility.
7. Need a Little Help Learning How to Use the Bus?
This is a resource many families may not know about.
MTA Flint offers FREE Travel Training.
If you've never used public transportation, don't know how to read the bus schedule, or are nervous about figuring out how to get somewhere, MTA can actually teach you.
A travel trainer can:
Meet you at your home or another convenient location
Help assess your transportation needs
Create a personalized travel plan
Teach you how to read bus maps and schedules
Help you identify bus stops
Ride with you while you learn
Help you become comfortable using MTA services
There is no cost to the passenger for the Travel Training program.
Contact:
Joe Kiefer, Travel Trainer
810-780-8823
Email: jkiefer@mtaflint.org
Learn more:
[MTA Flint Travel Training]
This could be especially helpful for a mom who says:
"I could use the bus, but I honestly don't know how."
You don't have to figure it out alone.
8. Need to Get to the Grocery Store?
Transportation isn't just about doctors.
Food is a basic need too.
MTA provides transportation options for people who need help getting to grocery stores.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to use:
Fixed-route MTA buses
Your Ride
Rides to Wellness through qualifying programs
Other community transportation resources
If you're not sure which service applies:
Call MTA Customer Service:
810-767-0100
Website:
[MTA Flint]
Explain where you live and where you need to go.
Ask:
"What is the least expensive transportation option available to me?"
9. Genesee Connect: A Lower-Cost Option
If you don't qualify for a free transportation program but still need an affordable ride, MTA's Genesee Connect may be another option in participating service zones.
Genesee Connect is an on-demand transportation service that complements MTA's regular routes.
How to book:
You can use the MTA SmartMove app or call:
810-767-5541
Current listed fare:
$2.50 for up to 4 miles, then 40 cents per additional mile.
Current service hours:
Monday–Saturday: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
The service is being expanded by zones, so check the current service area before planning your trip.
Website:
[MTA Genesee Connect]
This isn't a free-ride program, but it can be a lower-cost option when free transportation isn't available.
10. Michigan 2-1-1 Can Search for Transportation for You
If you're reading all of this and thinking:
"I still don't know which one applies to me."
Call 211.
Michigan 2-1-1 has a statewide database of more than 27,000 programs and specifically includes transportation resources.
They can help identify programs involving:
Free transportation
Senior transportation
Paratransit
Disability transportation
Community rides
Non-emergency medical transportation
Transportation assistance
Vehicle assistance
Call:
211
or
844-875-9211
Text:
Text your ZIP code to 898211
Online:
[Michigan 2-1-1 Transportation Search]
Online chat:
Michigan 211 also offers online chat in participating regions.
Website:
[Michigan 211]
Important:
Text and chat availability varies by regional center, but calling 211 is available 24/7.
Standard text-message rates may apply.
11. You Can Search Michigan 211 Yourself
If you don't want to call, you can search the Michigan 211 database online.
You can search by:
ZIP code
City
County
Type of assistance
Organization
Program
Go to:
[Michigan 211 Transportation Resources]
Then look for categories such as:
Free Transportation/Ride Programs
General Paratransit/Community Ride Programs
Disability-Related Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
This can be especially helpful if you're trying to find something outside Genesee County.
12. Need a Ride to WIC?
If you're trying to get connected with WIC but transportation is keeping you from going, don't automatically cancel the appointment.
Call 211 and tell them:
"I need transportation to a WIC appointment."
You can also call the WIC clinic where your appointment is scheduled and ask:
"Do you know of a transportation program that can help me get to my appointment?"
The clinic may know about local transportation resources.
Michigan WIC:
[Michigan WIC]
Michigan 211:
Call: 211
Call: 844-875-9211
Text ZIP: 898211
13. Need a Ride to a Doctor, Dentist, or Other Medical Appointment?
Start with these three options:
Option 1: Medicaid
Call the member-services number on your Medicaid card.
Ask about Non-Emergency Medical Transportation.
Option 2: MTA Rides to Wellness
810-780-8946
Ask whether your appointment qualifies.
Option 3: Michigan 211
211
Tell them your ZIP code and the type of appointment.
Michigan 211 specifically maintains transportation resources for medical appointments and other essential needs.
14. What If Your Child Has a Medical Appointment?
If your child has a medical appointment and transportation is a problem, tell the child's medical provider when you schedule the appointment.
Ask:
"Do you have transportation assistance for families who don't have transportation?"
If your child has Medicaid, also ask about non-emergency medical transportation through the child's Medicaid health plan.
If the appointment is outside Genesee County, tell the health plan where the appointment is located and ask whether transportation is covered.
15. What If You Need Transportation Outside Genesee County?
This is where it is especially important to ask questions before making an appointment.
If your child or you are being referred to a specialist outside the county, ask:
"Does my insurance provide transportation to this appointment?"
If you have Medicaid, contact your health plan.
If you don't have Medicaid, call 211 and explain:
Where you live
Where you need to go
Why you need to go
The date of the appointment
Whether you have a disability
Whether you have children traveling with you
The more information you provide, the easier it is to search for the right resource.
16. What If You Have Children With You?
When scheduling transportation, tell the transportation provider that you will have children with you.
Do not assume children can or cannot ride.
Ask:
"I will have my child with me. Can my child ride with me, and do I need a car seat?"
For the current MDHHS/MTA Rides to Wellness program, MTA's flyer states that riders do not need to provide child car seats because MTA will provide them for infants and children.
However, transportation policies can differ between programs, so always confirm when you schedule.
17. Have These Things Ready When You Call
Transportation programs may ask for:
Your full name
Phone number
Address
ZIP code
Destination
Appointment date
Appointment time
Type of appointment
Insurance information
Medicaid information
Whether you use a wheelchair or mobility device
Whether a child is traveling with you
Whether another person needs to ride with you
Having this information ready can make the process much easier.
18. Don't Wait Until the Day of Your Appointment
This is one of the biggest things we want families to know.
Call early.
MTA Your Ride currently asks riders to make arrangements at least one day in advance.
Medicaid transportation may have its own scheduling requirements.
Other programs may have limited availability.
If your appointment is next Tuesday, don't wait until Tuesday morning.
Start today.
19. What If You're Told "No"?
Don't assume that one "no" means there is no transportation available.
Ask:
"Is there another transportation program you can refer me to?"
Then call 211.
You can also ask the organization you're visiting:
"Who normally helps your patients or clients with transportation?"
Sometimes the organization you are trying to reach already knows which transportation program serves its clients.
20. A Simple Transportation Plan for Moms
If transportation feels overwhelming, do this:
Step 1
Write down where you need to go.
Step 2
Write down the date and time.
Step 3
If you have Medicaid, call your health plan.
Step 4
If you're in Flint or Genesee County, call:
MTA Rides to Wellness
810-780-8946
Step 5
If you qualify for Your Ride, call:
810-767-5541
Step 6
If you're still unsure, call:
211
Tell them:
"I need help finding a free or low-cost ride."
You don't have to know the name of the program.
You don't have to understand the transportation system.
You just have to explain what you need.
21. Save These Numbers
Put these numbers in your phone now.
Michigan 2-1-1
211
844-875-9211
Text your ZIP code to 898211
Online: Michigan 211
MTA Rides to Wellness
810-780-8946
For medical and health/wellness transportation.
MTA Your Ride
810-767-5541
For qualifying riders who cannot use fixed-route service.
MTA Customer Service
810-767-0100
For general MTA questions.
MTA Travel Training
810-780-8823
Free help learning how to use MTA services.
Genesee County Veterans Services
810-257-3068
Ask about free Vets to Wellness transportation.
Genesee Health Plan Health Navigator
810-339-6389
Ask about transportation assistance if you are an eligible Spanish-speaking Genesee Health Plan client.
Michigan Medicaid Beneficiary Help Line
1-800-642-3195
For Medicaid questions and assistance.
For transportation specifically, start with the member-services number on your Medicaid card.
22. Transportation Resources at a Glance
If you need...Start hereCostMedical ride and have MedicaidYour Medicaid health planMay be coveredFlint MDHHS transportationMTA Rides to WellnessFree for qualifying ridersVeteran transportationGenesee County Veterans ServicesFree for qualifying ridersTransportation because of disability/ageMTA Your RideDepends on eligibility/serviceHelp finding any transportation programMichigan 211FreeHelp learning to use the busMTA Travel TrainingFreeLower-cost on-demand transportationGenesee ConnectCurrent listed fare starts at $2.50Grocery/health destinationMTA/Rides to Wellness/Your RideDepends on programTransportation outside Genesee County211 + your Medicaid plan if applicableDepends on program
You Shouldn't Have to Choose Between Help and Gas Money
Sometimes asking for help is hard enough.
Then you discover the program is 20 miles away.
Or the doctor's office is across town.
Or your WIC appointment isn't near a bus route.
Or your child's specialist is outside Genesee County.
And suddenly, the problem isn't whether help exists.
The problem is getting there.
Transportation should not automatically be the reason a parent misses an important appointment or gives up on applying for assistance.
So before you decide:
"I can't get there."
Make a few calls.
Ask.
Explain your situation.
There may be a transportation option you didn't know about.
And If You Don't Know Which Program Is Right for You...
Call 211.
Tell them:
"I need help finding transportation."
Then tell them:
Where you live
Where you need to go
When you need to go
Why you need transportation
Whether you have Medicaid
Whether you have children with you
Whether you have a disability or mobility need
Let them help you search.
You don't have to know the name of the program before you call.
One More Thing From KindNest
Yesterday, we gave you a map of resources.
Today, we're giving you another piece of the map:
How to get there.
Because a resource isn't really accessible if a family can't reach it.
At KindNest, we believe supporting families means looking at the whole picture.
Sometimes that means diapers.
Sometimes it means WIC.
Sometimes it means food assistance.
Sometimes it means child care.
And sometimes it means helping a mom figure out how she's going to get to the place that can help her.
You don't have to have everything figured out.
You just have to take the next step.
And if you don't know what that step is, ask.
Save This Post
Save this page to your phone.
Share it with another mom.
Send it to a family member who doesn't have reliable transportation.
Put the numbers in your contacts.
Because the day you need a ride is not the day you want to start looking for the phone number.
Help is out there. Sometimes the first step is simply asking how to get there.
Important Resource Disclaimer
Transportation availability, eligibility, service areas, scheduling requirements, fares, and funding can change. Always contact the transportation provider directly to confirm that your specific trip qualifies and to arrange your ride. KindNest shares these resources as a starting point and does not guarantee transportation availability.
For emergencies, call 911.