Last updated: July 16, 2026
Bottom line
West Virginia does not have one transportation program for every single mother. The right starting point depends on the trip. Medicaid and West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program members may qualify for non-emergency medical transportation. West Virginia WORKS and workforce programs may help with transportation tied to work or training. Public buses, demand-response vans, disability rides, and local nonprofit help vary by county.
For a medical ride, start with the state NEMT page and Modivcare. For local buses and vans, use the state transportation directory. For work costs, ask your West Virginia WORKS worker before paying for a pass, repair, insurance, or license expense.
ASMOM’s national transportation guide explains common help paths. The West Virginia help page covers other state programs.
This article gives general information. It does not promise a ride, vehicle, reimbursement, repair payment, benefit approval, or appeal result.
If you need a ride soon
Call 911 for an emergency. Medicaid transportation and public transit are not substitutes for an ambulance or emergency response.
For a Medicaid or WVCHIP medical trip: Call Modivcare reservations at 1-844-549-8353. Routine trips should normally be requested at least five business days before the visit. Hospital discharges and urgent trips use a different process.
For a late or missing Modivcare ride: Call Ride Assist at 1-844-549-8354. Have the trip reference number, scheduled pickup time, and medical office information ready.
For local help: Contact West Virginia 211 by dialing 211, texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or calling 1-833-848-9905 when 211 does not connect. Ask for bus passes, gas help, county vans, volunteer drivers, shelter transportation, or other local options.
If food, shelter, utilities, or safety are also urgent, use ASMOM’s West Virginia emergency guide. If abuse or stalking is part of the situation, the West Virginia safety guide lists advocate contacts and safer next steps.
Where to start
Start with the purpose of the trip, not the words “transportation grant.” Tell the office where you need to go, when you need to arrive, why the trip matters, and why your usual ride is not available.
Medical appointment
Use Modivcare if you or your child has eligible Medicaid or WVCHIP coverage and no other reasonable way to reach covered care.
Work or training
Ask your West Virginia WORKS worker or workforce counselor whether your approved plan can include transportation or another support service.
Local bus or van
Use the state provider directory, then call the transit system to confirm the route, fare, schedule, accessibility, and reservation rules.
No service nearby
Call 211 and the Community Action agency for your county. Ask about demand-response rides, gas cards, volunteer drivers, and nearby programs.
West Virginia transportation quick reference
| Need | Best first contact | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covered medical care | Modivcare | Ride, bus ticket, mileage reimbursement, accessible vehicle | Routine trips normally need five business days’ notice. |
| Job or training | WV WORKS or WorkForce WV | Transit cost, mileage, repair, insurance, license, supportive services | The cost usually must connect to an approved activity or job. |
| City or county travel | Local transit agency | Fixed route, on-demand ride, route deviation, fare reduction | Days, hours, fares, and service areas differ. |
| Disability-related travel | Local ADA service or ADRC | Paratransit, accessible van, certification, caregiver ride | An application and advance reservation may be required. |
| Vehicle for employment | WV WORKS caseworker | Good News Mountaineer Garage referral or repair help | Vehicle supply, eligibility, insurance, and approval are not guaranteed. |
Medicaid and WVCHIP medical rides
West Virginia Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation helps eligible Medicaid and WVCHIP members reach covered services when they need transportation. The state contracts with Modivcare to manage all non-ambulance rides.
The current West Virginia member page says routine reservations are taken Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 1-844-549-8353 at least five business days before a routine appointment. You can also manage trips through the member website or mobile app.
What Modivcare may arrange
- Gas mileage reimbursement when an approved person drives.
- Fixed-route bus tickets or passes when public transit fits the trip.
- A car, van, or taxi for an ambulatory member.
- A wheelchair-accessible vehicle when the member qualifies.
Transportation is normally tied to the member’s address on record and a covered medical service. Update your Medicaid address when you move. For broader coverage help, use ASMOM’s West Virginia health guide.
Information to give Modivcare
Have the member’s name, home address, phone number, Medicaid identification number, pickup address, medical provider name and address, appointment date and time, expected end time, general appointment type, and any mobility or escort need.
Before ending the call
Ask for the trip reference number, pickup window, return-ride method, cancellation rule, and Ride Assist number. Be ready at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup.
Mileage reimbursement
A member, family member, or friend may qualify for mileage reimbursement for an approved trip. The driver must follow Modivcare instructions, and the medical provider must confirm attendance. Use the current forms linked from the West Virginia member page and do not assume a trip will be paid if it was not approved first.
Public transit and demand-response rides
The West Virginia Department of Transportation maintains a transportation provider directory by county. It includes public buses, specialized transportation, taxi services, Head Start providers, and information about lift-equipped vehicles.
A fixed route follows a regular schedule. Demand-response service requires a reservation. Route-deviation service may leave the regular route within a limited area when requested. Always call before relying on a rural trip because advance notice, service days, and pickup rules differ.
| Area | Transit starting point | Services to check |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston and Kanawha County | KRT | Fixed routes, KRTplus on-demand zones, paratransit, mobile fares |
| Huntington area | TTA | Fixed routes, passes, reduced fare, Dial-A-Ride |
| Morgantown and Monongalia County | Mountain Line | Local routes, passes, route deviations, accessible service |
| Berkeley and Jefferson counties | Eastern Panhandle Transit | Deviated routes, demand response, mobile fares, medical transit |
| Central and southeastern counties | Mountain Transit | Rural routes, flag stops, demand-response trips, accessibility |
| Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, and Wayne | Tri River Transit | Low-cost routes, route deviation, work, school, medical, shopping trips |
| Harrison County | CENTRA | Fixed routes, ADA paratransit, shared-ride service |
Check the actual route before buying a pass. A low fare does not help if the first bus arrives after your shift begins or the last bus leaves before child care closes.
Transportation for work, training, or job search
West Virginia WORKS is the state TANF program. Its currently posted support-service policy allows transportation help for some work-eligible participants when the cost is needed to begin or continue an approved activity. Public-transit users may be reimbursed for the actual cost. Private transportation payments can include part of fuel, insurance, maintenance, minor repairs, and parking.
The rules depend on the activity, active case, sanction status, other transportation money, proof of the cost, and current limits. Ask your worker before paying. The state’s support-service policy also requires a written reason and fair-hearing information when a requested support payment is denied.
Apply for cash, food, health coverage, child care, and energy programs through West Virginia PATH. Find local help through the DoHS office directory. ASMOM’s West Virginia TANF guide explains the broader WV WORKS process.
Ask before missing an activity
Tell your worker when a bus route, child care schedule, broken car, license problem, unsafe vehicle, or lack of fuel is blocking participation. Bring the work or training schedule and explain why cheaper options do not work. If child care is part of the barrier, see ASMOM’s West Virginia child care guide.
Workforce programs
WorkForce West Virginia connects job seekers with local offices, training, and employment services. Some Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs can provide supportive services such as transportation when needed for an approved activity. Funding and local policy vary, so ask the specific program what it can approve.
Car repair, insurance, licenses, and vehicle help
The WV WORKS policy currently posted by the state includes possible help with vehicle repair, transportation, vehicle insurance, and certain license costs for eligible participants. Vehicle repair funds cannot be used to buy a vehicle. The car generally must be titled or leased in West Virginia in the name of a work-eligible adult in the household, and the repair plus other resources must make it roadworthy.
Do not approve a repair yourself and expect repayment later. Ask the worker whether the repair is eligible, which estimates are needed, whether a vendor must be approved, and what written authorization you will receive.
Good News Mountaineer Garage
Good News Mountaineer Garage provides vehicles to some families who need transportation for work or job training. The WV WORKS program requires a referral from the caseworker and regional approval. It is not a walk-in car giveaway.
Ask about driver-license rules, insurance, vehicle availability, training, title costs, and ongoing ownership expenses. A car can solve a route problem but create new costs for fuel, tires, repairs, registration, and insurance.
Do not use high-cost debt first
A title loan, payday loan, or unaffordable auto loan can make a short transportation problem much worse. Ask the caseworker, workforce program, Community Action agency, and repair shop about safer options before borrowing.
Rural, disability, and caregiver ride options
Many West Virginia communities have limited routes and long distances between homes, child care, jobs, and clinics. Use the state directory to search by county, then ask whether the provider offers demand response, route deviation, ADA paratransit, volunteer drivers, or a connection to another transit system.
The Community Action agency finder shows which agency serves each county. Services differ, but some agencies provide rides, passes, gas help, Head Start transportation, or referrals when funds are available. ASMOM’s West Virginia community guide lists more local starting points.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center helps older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers find services and long-term supports. County aging providers may also offer transportation, but age, disability, trip purpose, and county rules apply.
For broader disability benefits and service paths, use ASMOM’s disability support guide.
What to have ready
You will not need every item for every program. Keep copies of anything you send and save trip or case confirmation numbers.
| Information | Where it helps | Example |
|---|---|---|
| County and addresses | Transit, 211, Medicaid | Home, pickup point, destination |
| Trip details | Medical or work ride | Date, start time, expected end time |
| Benefit information | Medicaid or WV WORKS | Member ID, case number, notice |
| Work or training proof | Support-service request | Schedule, job offer, enrollment |
| Vehicle records | Repair or insurance request | Title, registration, estimate, license |
| Mobility information | Accessible ride | Wheelchair, service animal, escort need |
| Submission proof | Complaint or appeal | Screenshot, receipt, call log |
ASMOM’s documents checklist gives a longer benefits and assistance list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling too late. Routine Modivcare trips normally need five business days’ notice.
- Using the wrong phone number. Reservations use 1-844-549-8353; late, return, changed, or canceled rides use 1-844-549-8354.
- Buying first and asking later. WV WORKS and workforce costs often need approval and proof before payment.
- Assuming a route runs daily. Rural buses and demand-response services may run only on set days.
- Ignoring the return trip. Confirm how you will be picked up after a medical visit or training class.
- Taking a car without a budget. Plan for insurance, registration, fuel, maintenance, and repairs.
- Relying only on a verbal denial. Ask for the reason and complaint or hearing instructions in writing.
If help is denied, late, or missing
For a Modivcare problem: Call Ride Assist at 1-844-549-8354 for a late pickup, return ride, change, or cancellation. Use the member feedback option for a service complaint. Keep the trip number, times, driver or company information, and medical office notes.
For a denied medical ride: Ask why the trip was denied and whether a document, updated address, different provider, or advance approval is needed. Request written appeal or fair-hearing information when you disagree with a Medicaid service decision. The deadline on the notice controls.
For denied WV WORKS transportation: Ask for the written support-service denial and hearing request information. Explain the approved activity, transportation barrier, cost, and proof you provided.
For local programs with no funds: Ask when funds may reopen and who else serves your county. Call 211, Community Action, the transit provider, clinic social worker, school, child care office, employer, and faith or community groups.
ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize notices and proof. For possible legal advice, use the West Virginia legal guide or contact Legal Aid West Virginia. Help depends on the issue, eligibility, and available staff.
Phone scripts
Calling Modivcare
“Hello, I need a non-emergency medical ride for myself or my child. The appointment is on _____ at _____ with _____. Can you confirm eligibility, the pickup window, the return method, and my trip number?”
Calling a WV WORKS worker
“Transportation is stopping me from attending my approved work or training activity. Can we review help with a pass, mileage, insurance, license cost, or vehicle repair before I pay?”
Calling public transit
“I need to travel from _____ to _____ on these days and times. Which route, on-demand service, or paratransit option works, and how early must I reserve it?”
Calling 211 or Community Action
“I live in _____ County and need transportation for _____. I have already tried _____. Can you check for gas cards, bus passes, volunteer drivers, county vans, or another local program?”
Resumen en español
En West Virginia, la ayuda de transporte depende del motivo del viaje. Para una cita médica cubierta por Medicaid o WVCHIP, llame a Modivcare al 1-844-549-8353 por lo menos cinco días laborables antes de una cita rutinaria. Si el viaje llega tarde o no llega, llame al 1-844-549-8354.
Para trabajo o capacitación, pregunte a su trabajador de WV WORKS o a WorkForce West Virginia antes de pagar un pase, reparación, seguro o licencia. Para ayuda local, llame al 211, mande su código postal al 898-211 o busque la agencia de Community Action de su condado.
Guarde números de viaje, recibos, presupuestos de reparación, horarios y avisos. Si niegan la ayuda, pida la razón por escrito y las instrucciones para presentar una queja o audiencia.
FAQs about West Virginia transportation help
Who schedules West Virginia Medicaid rides?
Modivcare manages non-ambulance transportation for eligible West Virginia Medicaid and WVCHIP members. Call 1-844-549-8353 for reservations.
How early should I schedule a routine medical ride?
Modivcare says to call at least five business days before a routine visit. Hospital discharges and urgent trips can be requested outside that window.
What number do I call if the ride is late?
Call Modivcare Ride Assist at 1-844-549-8354 when a ride is late, you need a return ride, or you must change or cancel a trip.
Can WV WORKS help with car repairs?
It may help an eligible work participant with an approved repair needed for work or training. The vehicle and repair must meet program rules, and approval is not automatic.
Can I get mileage reimbursement for a medical trip?
Possibly. A member, family member, or friend may qualify for an approved trip. Follow Modivcare instructions and have the medical provider confirm attendance.
What if no bus serves my area?
Check the state provider directory, 211, Community Action, county aging or disability services, and local demand-response providers. Availability and scheduling rules vary by county.
Last updated: July 16, 2026. Next review: October 16, 2026.
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 July 16, 2026, next review October 16, 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.