Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
Connecticut does not have one single transportation program just for single mothers. The best option depends on why you need the ride. Medical rides usually start with HUSKY Health or Covered Connecticut non-emergency medical transportation. Work and training rides may start with Jobs First Employment Services, SNAP Employment and Training, an American Job Center, or a local workforce program. Daily travel usually means CTtransit, rail, paratransit, local Dial-A-Ride, school transportation rights, or 211 referrals.
If you need help with other basic needs while you solve transportation, see Connecticut help guide, emergency assistance, and housing help for related Connecticut resources.
Urgent help if you are stranded today
If there is a medical emergency, call 911. Do not wait for a Medicaid ride, bus, or case manager.
- Medical appointment: If you have HUSKY Health or Covered Connecticut and no safe ride, call MTM at 1-855-478-7350. The DSS NEMT page says MTM is Connecticut DSS’s current broker for non-emergency medical transportation.
- Local help: Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-203-1234 from outside Connecticut. The 211 Connecticut service can help search for transportation, shelter, food, child care, and other local help.
- Safety: If getting a ride could put you or your children in danger, contact a trusted local advocate or 911 in an emergency. You can also review safety resources for Connecticut.
- School problem: If your child is missing school because your family lost housing or is doubled up, ask the school for the McKinney-Vento liaison today. Connecticut’s homeless education page explains the school access program.
Where to start
Start with the reason for the trip. A bus pass program may not help with a medical ride. A medical ride program may not help with work. A school transportation right may only apply to your child, not to your job commute.
Medical visit
Use HUSKY Health, Covered Connecticut, or MTM first. Ask early, because routine rides may need advance scheduling.
Work or training
If you receive TFA, ask your JFES worker. If you receive SNAP, ask about CTPathways. If neither fits, contact an American Job Center.
Daily bus or train
Check fares, reduced fare rules, U-Pass CT, CTpass through an organization, and CTrides Emergency Ride Home.
Disability or access issue
Apply for ADA paratransit if a disability prevents you from using the regular bus. Ask your local transit district about travel training or Dial-A-Ride.
Quick reference table
| Your need | Best first step | What to ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor, dentist, therapy, pharmacy, or covered health visit | Call MTM or use MTM members | Ride, bus pass, wheelchair vehicle, or mileage reimbursement | It must be tied to a covered health service and no other ride is available. |
| Work, job search, or training | Contact JFES, SNAP E&T, or an AJC | Bus pass, gas help, mileage, or training support | Help is usually tied to an approved employment plan or class. |
| Everyday bus rides | Check CTtransit fares | Two-hour, all-day, 10-ride, or 31-day pass | Exact fare may be needed on buses, and express routes cost more. |
| Disability prevents regular bus use | Apply through CT ADA application | ADA paratransit eligibility | You must be certified before using ADA paratransit. |
| Child lost housing or is doubled up | Ask the school liaison | School-of-origin transportation review | Ask in writing and keep notes from each call. |
Medical rides through HUSKY Health and Covered Connecticut
Connecticut’s non-emergency medical transportation program helps eligible Medicaid members and Covered Connecticut members get to health care when they do not have another way to travel. This may include rides, bus passes, wheelchair-accessible transportation, or mileage reimbursement in some cases. Start with the HUSKY Health site if you need to confirm coverage.
Call MTM at 1-855-478-7350. Have the appointment date, provider name, address, phone number, and your member information ready. If a friend or family member can drive you, ask whether mileage reimbursement is allowed for your situation.
Tip for medical rides
Book as early as you can. If the visit is urgent, ask the clinic to help confirm that the appointment cannot wait. If a ride is late, call MTM while you are still waiting and write down the time, name, and answer.
If your appointment is not covered, ask the provider’s social worker, the clinic front desk, or your health plan member services about other options. For health coverage help, see healthcare assistance and ask your clinic about dental or behavioral health transportation rules.
Bus, rail, passes, and commute help
For regular trips, start with the regular transit system. CTtransit lists current fares and passes, including local bus passes, youth fares, senior and disability reduced fares, and express fare rules. Use the trip planner to test the route before you buy a pass.
| Option | Who it may help | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Local bus pass | Parents who ride several days a week | Compare two-hour, all-day, 10-ride, and 31-day costs before buying. |
| Reduced fare | People 65 or older and people with qualifying disabilities | The reduced fare page explains ID and Medicare card options. |
| U-Pass CT | Students at participating colleges | The U-Pass CT page explains where the pass works and school rules. |
| Emergency Ride Home | Workers who regularly use transit, carpool, vanpool, bike, or walk | The CTrides ERH program may reimburse eligible emergency trips. |
| CTpass | People connected to a participating employer, school, agency, or nonprofit | The CTpass program is for organizations, not individual applications. |
Do not buy a monthly pass until you know your route, schedule, and transfer needs. Express buses and rail can have different fare rules. If you are in school, also check education grants and ask your campus student support office about emergency funds, U-Pass access, or a short-term bus pass.
Work, training, and child care transportation
If transportation is stopping you from working, keeping a job, starting class, or reaching child care, do not ask only for a ride. Ask for the program that matches your benefit or workforce plan.
If you receive TFA
Connecticut’s Jobs First Employment Services helps many people who receive Temporary Family Assistance. The JFES page explains that DSS refers many TFA recipients to JFES unless an exemption applies. Ask your worker whether transportation support is available for the activity in your employment plan. For a benefits overview, see TFA help.
If you receive SNAP
Connecticut calls SNAP Employment and Training CTPathways. The SNAP E&T page explains that eligible SNAP recipients may get free classes and training help. Ask the training provider whether transportation, books, fees, tools, or child care supports can be included. For food help, see SNAP assistance.
If you are not in TFA or SNAP E&T
Contact an American Job Center. Ask about WIOA, short-term training funds, supportive services, and whether a bus pass or gas support can be approved for a job interview, orientation, training class, or first weeks of work. In eastern Connecticut, Job Access lists employment-related transportation such as bus passes, taxi rides, and mileage reimbursement for eligible TFA/TANF workers.
If the main barrier is child care drop-off, also apply for or update child care help. The child care guide can help you plan that next step.
Disability, paratransit, school, and child safety
ADA paratransit
If a disability prevents you from using regular fixed-route bus service, apply for ADA paratransit. Connecticut DOT’s ADA service page explains that paratransit is provided in areas with local fixed-route bus service for people who cannot use that bus system because of disability.
ADA paratransit is not the same as a free taxi program. It usually requires eligibility approval, advance reservations, service-area rules, and a fare. If disability is part of your situation, the Connecticut disability support page may help you find related benefits and school supports.
School transportation when housing is unstable
If you are in a shelter, hotel, car, doubled up with another household, or moving because you lost housing, ask the school for the McKinney-Vento liaison. The National Center for Homeless Education explains school-of-origin transportation rights in its transportation brief. The school should explain options and appeal rights if it says no.
Car seats and safe rides
If you have a car but are not sure the seat is installed correctly, use Safe Kids Connecticut fitting stations or car seat events. If you cannot afford a needed seat, ask the fitting station, pediatrician, WIC office, hospital social worker, or 211 for local programs. For baby items, see baby gear help.
Local backup options when the first program does not fit
Transportation help is often local and limited. Some towns, senior centers, transit districts, churches, community agencies, and nonprofits offer Dial-A-Ride, volunteer rides, taxi vouchers, gas cards, or one-time bus passes. These programs may be limited to older adults, people with disabilities, medical trips, town residents, or people with a case manager.
- 211 search: Use 211 transportation to search by town and need.
- Community Action: Ask your local agency if emergency transportation, job access, or case management funds are available. Use community support for a broader starting point.
- Rural areas: If you are outside a major bus route, ask about regional transit, volunteer rides, or mileage help. The rural assistance guide may help.
- License issues: If a suspended license is part of the problem, the Connecticut DMV reinstatement page explains that paying a fee does not automatically mean your license is restored. Check status before driving.
What to have ready before you call
| Keep this ready | Why it matters | Helpful note |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit card or case number | Needed for HUSKY, TFA, SNAP, or Covered Connecticut questions | Take a photo if you often lose cards. |
| Appointment details | Needed for NEMT and clinic help | Include provider name, address, phone, date, and time. |
| Work or training proof | Needed for job-related bus passes or mileage help | Use an email, schedule, offer letter, or class letter. |
| School contact | Needed for McKinney-Vento or child transportation questions | Ask for the liaison’s name and direct contact. |
| Ride log | Helps with complaints, late rides, or denials | Write date, time, person you spoke with, and result. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the morning of a routine medical visit. Some same-day rides may be possible, but routine rides should be requested early.
- Driving before DMV confirms reinstatement. An online payment receipt is not the same as a valid license.
- Buying the wrong transit pass. Check whether your route is local, express, rail, or a mix.
- Assuming a case manager knows you need transportation. Say the exact trip, deadline, and why missing it will hurt your case, job, health, or child’s school.
- Not asking for a backup. If the office says no to gas help, ask whether a bus pass, mileage reimbursement, taxi voucher, or referral is possible.
If you are denied, delayed, or ignored
Ask for the reason in writing when possible. Then ask what rule, missing paper, service area, or funding limit caused the denial. This helps you decide whether to appeal, correct a document, call another program, or use a backup plan.
- NEMT problem: Ask MTM for the denial reason, complaint process, and whether another transportation mode is allowed.
- JFES or training support problem: Ask your worker to review your employment plan and explain what transportation costs can be covered.
- ADA paratransit denial: Ask for the written decision and appeal instructions. Focus on the disability-related reason you cannot use the fixed-route bus.
- School transportation problem: Ask for the McKinney-Vento liaison and a written explanation of the decision.
Short phone scripts
Medical ride script
“Hi, I have HUSKY or Covered Connecticut and I need a ride to a covered appointment. The appointment is on [date] at [time] with [provider]. I do not have another safe ride. Can you help me schedule it and tell me what time to be ready?”
Work or training script
“Hi, transportation is stopping me from getting to [job interview/training/work]. I receive [TFA/SNAP/no benefit]. Is there a bus pass, mileage help, gas card, or supportive service I can apply for?”
School liaison script
“Hi, our housing is not stable right now, and my child is missing school transportation. Can I speak with the McKinney-Vento liaison today about school-of-origin transportation and enrollment help?”
211 script
“Hi, I am a single parent in [town]. I need transportation for [medical/work/child care/school]. I already tried [program]. Can you search for local bus passes, gas cards, Dial-A-Ride, volunteer rides, or taxi vouchers?”
Plan B if there is no free ride
When no program can help in time, ask for the least expensive safe option. Try a local bus day pass, a ride from a trusted person with possible mileage reimbursement, a clinic social worker, a school liaison, a workforce case manager, a church outreach fund, or town social services. For related bills that are making transportation harder, check utility assistance and ask WIC, DSS, or 211 about local supports.
If your trip is for court, benefits, child support, or a safety issue, call the office before you miss it. Ask whether there is a phone option, remote option, reschedule process, or hardship note. For child support questions, call the official child support office or legal aid before missing a court or agency deadline.
Resumen en español
Connecticut no tiene un solo programa de transporte solo para madres solteras. La ayuda depende del viaje. Para citas médicas, llame a MTM si tiene HUSKY Health o Covered Connecticut. Para trabajo o entrenamiento, pregunte a JFES, SNAP E&T, o un American Job Center. Para autobús o tren, revise CTtransit, U-Pass CT, CTpass por medio de una organización, y CTrides Emergency Ride Home. Si su hijo no tiene transporte escolar porque la familia no tiene vivienda estable, pida hablar con el enlace McKinney-Vento de la escuela.
FAQ
Can single mothers get free transportation in Connecticut?
Sometimes, but it depends on the trip and the program. Medical rides may be covered for eligible HUSKY Health or Covered Connecticut members. Work or training help may be available through JFES, SNAP E&T, an American Job Center, or a local workforce program.
Who do I call for a Medicaid medical ride in Connecticut?
Call MTM at 1-855-478-7350 for Connecticut non-emergency medical transportation. Have your appointment details and member information ready before calling.
Can I get help with gas or car repair for work?
Maybe. Ask your JFES worker, SNAP E&T provider, American Job Center, or local workforce board. These supports are usually limited and tied to an approved job, training, or employment plan.
Does CTtransit have reduced fares?
Yes. CTtransit has reduced fares for people 65 or older and people with qualifying disabilities. You may need a Medicare card, state-issued reduced fare ID, or other approved proof.
What is ADA paratransit?
ADA paratransit is shared, advance-reservation transportation for people whose disability prevents them from using the regular fixed-route bus. You must apply and be approved.
Can my child get school transportation if we are homeless?
Children and youth who qualify under McKinney-Vento may have school transportation rights, including school-of-origin transportation when it is in the child’s best interest. Ask the school for the McKinney-Vento liaison.
What if I cannot find any program that helps today?
Call 211, ask the office you need to visit about rescheduling or remote options, and contact town social services, a clinic social worker, school liaison, or workforce case manager. Keep notes from every call.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.