Last updated: July 15, 2026
Bottom line
Missouri does not have one free ride program for every single mother or every trip. The right starting point depends on why you need transportation.
MO HealthNet may cover rides to approved medical care. Missouri Work Assistance or SkillUP may help with transportation tied to an approved work or training plan. City buses, rural transit, paratransit, MO Rides, 211, schools, and local agencies may help with other trips.
Start early and give the office the trip date, time, starting point, destination, and reason. A referral does not promise a ride, gas card, bus pass, or car repair.
For a wider overview, use ASMOM’s national transportation guide. The Missouri help guide covers food, housing, health care, cash aid, and child care.
If you need a ride soon
Call 911 for a medical emergency. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation is not an ambulance or emergency service.
- Medical appointment: If you have MO HealthNet, use the official medical transportation page. Regular rides should be requested at least three days before the appointment unless the trip is for urgent care or a hospital discharge.
- Ride is late: Call MTM Health at 866-269-5944 if the scheduled ride is more than 15 minutes late, you cannot reach the driver, or you have waited more than one hour for an unscheduled return ride.
- Any other trip: Call MO Rides at 844-836-7433 for transportation referrals, or search Missouri 211 for local transit, medical transportation, gas help, and bus-pass programs.
- Unsafe situation: Contact a local advocate before accepting a ride from someone who may put you or your children at risk. ASMOM’s Missouri safety guide lists confidential support.
If transportation is part of a larger crisis, use ASMOM’s Missouri emergency guide.
Where to start
Medical care
Call the number for your MO HealthNet plan. Ask for a ride, mileage reimbursement, or the correct return-ride process.
Work or training
Ask your Missouri Work Assistance, SkillUP, or Job Center worker whether transportation can be written into your approved plan.
Daily local trips
Check city buses, rural transit, OATS Transit, paratransit, MO Rides, and 211 by county.
School transportation
If your child lost stable housing, ask the school’s homeless liaison about McKinney-Vento transportation and school-of-origin rights.
For medical coverage questions, ASMOM’s Missouri health guide explains MO HealthNet and other care options.
Quick reference
| Your trip | Best first step | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor, dentist, therapy, or pregnancy care | MO HealthNet NEMT | Ride, mileage, attendant, and return trip | The service must be covered and you must be eligible that day. |
| Job, training, or interview | MWA, SkillUP, or Job Center | Bus pass, mileage, ride cost, or car repair | Help must usually be approved before you spend money. |
| Rural or county trip | MO Rides, MoDOT, or OATS | Service area, fare, reservation time, and child rules | Some routes run only on certain days. |
| Disability-related trip | Local paratransit or VR | Eligibility, accessible vehicle, and attendant | A disability does not always create automatic paratransit eligibility. |
| Child’s school | School district or homeless liaison | Regular bus, school-of-origin, or special education transport | School transportation rules depend on the child’s situation. |
Medical rides through MO HealthNet
Missouri calls Medicaid MO HealthNet. Its Non-Emergency Medical Transportation program, often called NEMT, may arrange transportation for eligible participants who do not have another free and suitable ride to a covered service.
Transportation can include bus passes, vans, taxis, rideshare vehicles, an ambulance when medically needed, or another approved option. It may also pay mileage when you or another person drives.
Trips that may qualify
The official NEMT participant guide lists primary care, specialist care, pregnancy visits, dental appointments, counseling, eye exams, and some behavioral health follow-up as examples. The provider must accept MO HealthNet, and the service must be covered.
NEMT does not cover every health-related trip. Pharmacy trips usually are not covered unless there is a scheduled vaccination appointment. Some home services, equipment services, waiver services, and day programs are also excluded.
How to schedule
Request a regular ride at least three days before the appointment. You may schedule online through the MTM Missouri portal, use the MTM Link Member app, or call your health plan Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
| Coverage | Ride number |
|---|---|
| MO HealthNet fee-for-service | 866-269-5927 |
| Home State Health | 855-694-4663 |
| Show Me Healthy Kids | 877-236-1020 |
| Healthy Blue | 888-597-1193 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 844-529-1801 |
You must be covered by MO HealthNet on the date of service. Have your MO HealthNet number, appointment address, provider name, date, time, phone number, and mobility needs ready.
Children and attendants
A child younger than 17 must travel with a parent or guardian. When transportation is for a participant younger than 21, one parent or guardian can be included if requested. Tell the scheduler about car seats, wheelchairs, service animals, an attendant, or another medical need.
Return rides
Ask how the return trip will work before the first ride. If no return time was set, use the MTM app, reply “READY” to the program text when offered, or call the health-plan ride number.
Mileage reimbursement
The current mileage reimbursement rules list a rate of 67 cents per mile for qualifying trips. The participant must be eligible, the service must be covered, and the distance must meet state travel rules or an approved exception.
Do not drive first and assume payment will follow. Ask MTM to approve and record the trip before travel, and follow the trip-verification instructions.
Distance limits
Missouri uses travel standards based on the participant’s county and provider type. If the closest available provider is farther away, ask whether a referral, lack of a timely local appointment, or prior treatment relationship supports an exception.
Transportation for work, training, and interviews
Work transportation is usually tied to an approved employment program. It is not a general car or gas grant.
Missouri Work Assistance
The Missouri Work Assistance program serves many Temporary Assistance recipients. A coach helps build an Individual Employment Plan.
The current MWA support rules list Transportation Reimbursement Expenses and Work-Related Expenses. Approved purchases may include automobile repair, child care registration, work clothing, tools, rent or utilities, and other costs that remove an employment barrier.
Availability depends on your plan, need, approval, and program funds. Ask before paying for repairs, fuel, a bus pass, or a ride. ASMOM’s Missouri TANF guide explains Temporary Assistance and MWA.
SkillUP
Missouri SkillUP is a free employment and training program for SNAP participants. It may pay for approved training, supplies, work clothing, tools, and minor car repairs that help a participant reach training or work.
Use the SkillUP provider map to find a local provider. Tell the coach how transportation is blocking the plan and ask what proof and preapproval are needed. ASMOM’s Missouri SNAP guide covers the food-benefit side.
Missouri Job Centers
Use the Job Center locator or call 888-728-5627. A Job Center may connect you with workforce programs that have supportive services, but it does not promise transportation money.
Child care
A ride plan can fail when care is not ready. Missouri’s Child Care Subsidy may help eligible parents who work, attend school, train, or complete another approved activity. Use ASMOM’s Missouri child care guide for application help.
Local and rural transportation
Transportation differs by county. Some areas have daily fixed routes. Others have a van that runs only on certain days and must be booked in advance.
MO Rides
MO Rides is a referral service, not a transportation company and not a promise of free service. It searches local providers for trips to medical care, work, groceries, and other needs. Mobility coordinators are available at 844-836-7433 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
MoDOT rural transit map
The rural transit map shows providers and contact information by area. Confirm the fare, service days, reservation deadline, pickup type, and whether children may ride.
OATS Transit
OATS Transit provides accessible rural public transportation for people of all ages and abilities in 87 Missouri counties. Use the OATS county schedules or call 888-875-6287. Fares and routes vary, and some county trips run only a few times each month.
Kansas City and St. Louis transit
Kansas City
RideKC bus fares returned on June 1, 2026. The current RideKC fare page lists a $2 single ride, $4 daily cap, $20 weekly cap, and $62.50 30-day cap. Reduced fares are half those amounts.
Children ages 0 through 5 ride free. Riders ages 6 through 18 qualify for reduced fare. Low-income riders can apply using proof from programs such as SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, Section 8, or LIHEAP. RideKC buses do not accept cash on board.
People whose disability or health condition prevents use of fixed-route buses may apply for RideKC Freedom. Eligibility requires an application and review. Call 816-842-9070 and choose the eligibility option for help.
St. Louis
The current Metro fare page lists a $1 cash bus fare, $2.50 cash rail fare, $5 one-day pass, $27 seven-day pass, and $78 30-day pass. Reduced fares require a Metro permit.
Metro Call-A-Ride is an advance-reservation shared service for people whose disabilities prevent them from using MetroBus or MetroLink. The current ADA fare is $2. Use the Call-A-Ride guide or call 314-982-1505 for reservations, trip status, eligibility questions, or complaints.
Check current fares
Fares, payment systems, and routes can change. Use the transit agency’s current page and alerts instead of relying on an old screenshot or social post.
Disability, school, and family transportation
Vocational Rehabilitation
If a disability creates a transportation barrier to work, Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation may help eligible people prepare for, find, keep, or advance in employment. Transportation must be connected to the approved employment plan.
ASMOM’s Missouri disability guide covers other disability and special-needs services.
School transportation after housing loss
Children staying in a shelter, motel, vehicle, campground, or temporarily with another household after losing housing may have rights under McKinney-Vento. Ask the school for its homeless liaison and a school-of-origin transportation review.
The state’s homeless education page lists Missouri contacts and local-liaison resources. Do not assume a child must change schools only because the family moved temporarily.
Special education transportation
If transportation is needed for a child to receive special education services, ask whether specialized transportation should be included in the Individualized Education Program. School rules are separate from MO HealthNet transportation.
Gas cards, bus passes, and local help
Gas cards and bus passes are usually local and limited. They may be offered by a hospital, shelter, school, church, Community Action agency, workforce provider, or charity for a specific trip.
Use the Community Action locator to find the agency serving your county. Explain the trip before asking for a specific item.
ASMOM’s Community Action guide explains how local agencies work. If transportation is tied to rent or utilities, also check ASMOM’s Missouri housing guide and Missouri utility guide.
Information to gather before calling
You will not need every item for every service. Having the basics ready may prevent repeat calls. ASMOM’s document checklist can help you organize copies.
| Information | Why it matters | Useful question |
|---|---|---|
| Home address and county | Programs serve specific areas | “Do you serve my pickup address?” |
| Trip date and time | Providers need scheduling details | “How early must I reserve?” |
| Destination and phone | Confirms the trip and return location | “Will you confirm with the office?” |
| MO HealthNet and plan cards | Show medical transportation coverage | “Which plan number should I call?” |
| Work or training plan | Shows an approved employment need | “Can transportation be added?” |
| Mobility and child needs | Helps arrange a suitable vehicle | “Can the vehicle take my chair or car seat?” |
If a ride is late, denied, or does not arrive
Late MO HealthNet ride
Call 866-269-5944 when the ride is more than 15 minutes late, you cannot reach the driver, or an unscheduled return ride has taken more than one hour. Write down the time, trip number, and person you spoke with.
NEMT complaint
Call MTM Health’s We Care Line at 866-436-0457. Ask for a complaint number. For unresolved MO HealthNet questions, Constituent Services is 800-392-2161.
Local service denial
Ask why the ride was denied. Reasons may include no service in the area, no available driver, late notice, missing eligibility, an uncovered trip, or no remaining funds. Ask whether another provider, fixed route, mileage option, or appeal process exists.
Legal or benefits issue
If a transportation denial blocks medical care, benefits, disability access, work requirements, or a court matter, save the written notice and call log. ASMOM’s Missouri legal guide lists civil legal-help paths. The benefits problem guide can help you track notices and deadlines.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling on the appointment day: Most regular medical and rural rides need advance notice.
- Giving only a general request: State the exact trip reason, place, and date.
- Assuming all medical trips qualify: NEMT must be tied to a covered MO HealthNet service.
- Forgetting the return ride: Ask how and when to request pickup home.
- Paying first: MWA, SkillUP, VR, and mileage programs often require approval.
- Using an old fare: Kansas City and St. Louis fares and payment systems changed in 2026.
- Not reporting a failed ride: Complaints create a record of repeat problems.
Backup options when no ride is available
- Ask whether a medical visit can be completed by telehealth.
- Ask the health plan for a closer covered provider.
- Ask whether work or training hours can match local transit.
- Ask the transit agency about travel training, reduced fare, demand-response service, or paratransit.
- Ask the school counselor, nurse, or family liaison about transportation funds.
- Ask 211 and MO Rides for more than one provider.
- Contact a safety advocate before using a ride offered by an unsafe person.
Phone scripts you can use
Scheduling a medical ride
“Hi, I have MO HealthNet through [plan]. I need transportation to a covered appointment on [date] at [time]. The address is [address]. I need [car seat, wheelchair access, attendant, or other need]. How will the return ride work?”
Calling MO Rides or 211
“Hi, I live in [county] and need transportation for [medical care, work, school, child care, court, or shelter]. The trip is on [date]. Which providers serve my address, and what do they charge?”
Calling a work program
“Transportation is stopping me from completing my approved work or training plan. I need help with [bus fare, mileage, a ride, or car repair]. What can be approved before I spend money or miss hours?”
Reporting a failed ride
“My ride for trip number [number] was scheduled for [time]. It is now [time], and [the driver has not arrived, I cannot reach the driver, or I have waited over an hour for my return]. Please record the problem and tell me the next step.”
Resumen en español
Missouri no tiene un solo programa de transporte gratis para todos los viajes. Para una cita médica cubierta, pregunte por transporte de MO HealthNet. Normalmente debe reservar por lo menos tres días antes. Para una emergencia médica, llame al 911.
Para trabajo o capacitación, pregunte a Missouri Work Assistance, SkillUP o un Missouri Job Center. Para transporte local, llame a MO Rides al 844-836-7433, marque 211, o revise OATS Transit y el mapa rural de MoDOT.
Si el viaje médico llega tarde, llame al 866-269-5944. Para presentar una queja, llame al 866-436-0457.
FAQ
Can single mothers get free transportation in Missouri?
Sometimes. MO HealthNet may cover eligible medical trips. Work programs, transit agencies, schools, and local groups may help with other trips. The reason, location, eligibility, and funds matter.
How early should I schedule a MO HealthNet ride?
Schedule a regular ride at least three days before the appointment. Urgent-care and hospital-discharge trips may use different timing. Confirm the rule when you call.
Can MO HealthNet reimburse gas mileage?
Yes, for some approved trips. The current rate is 67 cents per mile. Eligibility, covered service, travel distance, preapproval, and trip verification rules apply.
Can Missouri help repair my car for work?
Missouri Work Assistance and SkillUP may pay for approved minor repairs tied to work or training. Help depends on the plan, approval, need, and available funding.
Who helps with rural transportation?
Start with MO Rides, OATS Transit, Missouri 211, and the MoDOT rural transit map. Routes, fares, reservation times, and service days vary by county.
What should I do if my Medicaid ride is late?
Call 866-269-5944 after the official late-ride wait period. Keep the trip number and call notes. File a complaint at 866-436-0457 if needed.
Last updated: July 15, 2026. Next review: October 15, 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 15, 2026, next review October 15, 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.