How many transportation resources are in Illinois?

Women's Corner tracks 16 transportation resources for women in Illinois.

Are transportation resources in Illinois free?

10 of the 16 listed transportation resources in Illinois are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Illinois have transportation resources?

Listings span cities including Chicago, Arlington Heights, Normal, Springfield.

What are some examples of transportation resources in Illinois?

Featured entries include CTA — Chicago Transit Authority, Metra Commuter Rail — Chicago, Pace Suburban Bus, Connect Transit — Bloomington-Normal, Springfield Mass Transit District.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 16 Illinois transportation listings include phone numbers.

How do I get a free bus pass?

Most transit agencies have reduced or free passes for low-income riders, seniors, students, and people with disabilities — apply through the transit agency directly. TANF and SNAP recipients often qualify for free passes through state Human Services. Domestic violence shelters, job training programs, and recovery programs typically provide transit passes for participants.

Are there free rides to medical appointments?

Yes. Medicaid in every state covers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — call your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to schedule rides to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, and pharmacy. American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery and Angel Flight provide free transportation for cancer and serious illness. 211 can find local volunteer driver programs.

Can I get help buying or fixing a car?

Yes — Ways to Work, Modest Needs, Vehicles for Change, and 1-800-Charity-Cars provide low-interest loans or donated vehicles to low-income working parents. Many state TANF programs have car repair funds for parents who need transportation for work. Local United Way 211 has the most current list — funds rotate.

What if I have no transportation to my job?

Tell your American Job Center caseworker — WIOA can fund transportation as a 'supportive service' including bus passes, gas cards, and car repair. SNAP E&T and TANF work programs also pay for transportation. Many employers in low-wage industries (logistics, healthcare) now offer transit stipends or shuttle service from designated pickup points.

Best Transportation in Illinois — 16 resources

About Transportation for Women

Transportation assistance helps women get to work, court, prenatal appointments, childcare, and DV shelters. Public transit passes are often free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT, which covers rides to all covered medical visits at no cost), and WIC. Many workforce and job training programs include bus passes, and the Ways to Work program funds low-interest car loans for working parents. Domestic violence shelters often coordinate confidential relocation transportation through VAWA-funded programs. In rural areas, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs operate through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance.

Transportation in Illinois

Illinois handles family law through circuit courts in each of its 23 judicial circuits, with Cook County running its own Domestic Relations Division. The Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. Chicago dominates the state; Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, and Peoria follow. Legal Aid Chicago, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.

16 Resources

1. CTA — Chicago Transit Authority

CTA at 567 W Lake operates Chicago's 1,800 buses and 8 'L' lines serving 1.5 million daily riders. The Ventra card is the regional fare system; reduced fares (about 50% off) are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and CTA RTA Ride Free Permit holders. Call (888) 968-7282 24/7 for trip planning and customer service. Mothers can apply for the RTA reduced-fare permit at the RTA Customer Service Center in the Loop.

(888) 968-7282 · 567 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661 · 24/7 service · Visit Website

2. Metra Commuter Rail — Chicago

Metra at 547 W Jackson runs 11 commuter-rail lines connecting downtown Chicago to 240 stations across Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, and Will counties. Monthly passes run

00-

00 depending on zone. Reduced fares apply for seniors, people with disabilities, and children under 12. Call (312) 322-6777 daily; the Ventra mobile app sells single-ride and monthly tickets that work across CTA, Metra, and Pace.

(312) 322-6777 · 547 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661 · Daily service · Visit Website

3. Pace Suburban Bus

Pace at 550 W Algonquin in Arlington Heights operates 200+ bus routes across Chicago's six-county suburbs plus Pace Vanpool, Pace ADA Paratransit, and ride-share Pace OnDemand in Joliet and other communities. Fixed-route fare is with reduced fares for seniors and people with disabilities. Call (847) 364-7223 for service questions; the Pace mobility center helps mothers using paratransit register and book rides.

(847) 364-7223 · 550 W Algonquin Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 · Daily service · Visit Website

4. Connect Transit — Bloomington-Normal

Connect Transit at 351 Wylie Dr in Normal operates 14 fixed bus routes plus paratransit serving Bloomington-Normal, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan, and surrounding McLean County. Standard fare is

with reduced fares for seniors and the disabled. Call (309) 828-9833 Mon-Sat. Mothers can purchase monthly passes for

5 or use the free Show Me Bus app for real-time tracking and trip planning.

(309) 828-9833 · 351 Wylie Dr, Normal, IL 61761 · Mon-Sat service · Visit Website

5. Springfield Mass Transit District

SMTD at 928 S 9th St in Springfield operates 18 bus routes serving Springfield, IL and surrounding Sangamon County including connections to Capitol Complex, downtown, hospitals, and shopping. Fares are

cash; SMTD Access paratransit serves ADA-eligible riders. Call (217) 522-5531 Mon-Sat for routes and schedules. SMTD's Job Express partnership connects Springfield mothers to employment sites at off-peak hours.

(217) 522-5531 · 928 S 9th St, Springfield, IL 62703 · Mon-Sat service · Visit Website

6. Illinois Medicaid Transportation — Free

Illinois Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (managed by First Transit/Modivcare under HFS contract) provides free rides to medical appointments for Illinois HealthChoice members. Call (877) 912-8880 weekdays 8am-5pm to schedule rides at least 2 business days in advance. Services cover dialysis, prenatal visits, behavioral-health appointments, and pharmacy trips for mothers without other transportation.

(877) 912-8880 · Statewide service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Amtrak — Illinois

Amtrak operates 25+ daily trains through Illinois Union Station in Chicago, plus stations in Bloomington, Champaign, Galesburg, Quincy, Springfield, Carbondale, and others on the Illinois-funded Lincoln, Saluki, Illini, Carl Sandburg, and Illinois Zephyr routes. Children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities receive discounted fares. Call (800) 872-7245 daily for reservations; Illinois corridor fares run 5-$50 between most Illinois cities.

(800) 872-7245 · Multiple stations · Daily service

8. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's national passenger-rail system connects Illinois to the Midwest, East Coast, West Coast, and Texas via long-distance trains including the California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle, City of New Orleans, Lake Shore Limited, Cardinal, and Capitol Limited — all originating or terminating at Chicago Union Station. Discounts apply for seniors 65+ (10%), veterans (10% with Veteran ID), and children ages 2-12 (50%).

Nationwide · Online

9. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound operates intercity bus service from Chicago Union Station bus terminal and downstate Illinois stops including Champaign, Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield, and Carbondale. Routes connect Illinois to neighboring Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and beyond. Fares range from 5-

00 depending on distance and how far in advance tickets are booked. Children's discounts and military fares are available; book at greyhound.com or by phone.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus and Megabus operate low-cost intercity buses from Chicago Union Station bus terminal, with frequent service to St. Louis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Madison, and Detroit. Fares start at $5 booked in advance, with free WiFi and reserved seats. Stops include Champaign-Urbana and select college towns. Illinois mothers traveling for family, court appearances, or medical care can save significantly versus driving or Amtrak.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. US Department of Transportation — Free

U.S. DOT publishes federal transportation resources including the Federal Transit Administration's database of Illinois transit agencies (CTA, Metra, Pace, RTA, downstate systems), the Title VI complaint process for transit discrimination, and ADA compliance guidance. Illinois mothers facing transit accessibility problems can file federal complaints; the site also explains how federal infrastructure dollars under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are flowing to Illinois transit.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dial 211 anywhere in Illinois to reach the United Way-affiliated information-and-referral line, which maintains a database of local transportation help — gas vouchers from townships and churches, medical transportation, free bus passes from social-service agencies, and rural-paratransit programs serving Illinois communities outside the CTA/Metra/Pace footprint. 211 is free and available in multiple languages.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

VTS operates free shuttle and volunteer-driver services to and from VA medical appointments at every Illinois VA — Jesse Brown, Hines, Marion, Lovell, and Danville VAs plus the community-based outpatient clinics. Illinois women veterans can call their local VA Voluntary Service office to schedule a ride. The Beneficiary Travel program also reimburses qualifying veterans for mileage, lodging, and meals related to authorized VA medical travel.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare is the Illinois HFS Medicaid NEMT contractor that arranges free rides for HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid members to medical, dental, and behavioral-health appointments. Mothers schedule rides at least 2 business days ahead by calling Modivcare. Available transportation modes include public transit, ride-share (Lyft and Uber Health), wheelchair-accessible van, and stretcher service depending on medical need.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation publishes free research and safety resources used by Illinois driver-education programs and the Illinois Secretary of State's office. Mothers helping aging parents drive safely can use AAA's free CarFit assessments offered at Illinois AAA branches and senior centers, plus the SeniorDriving.AAA.com tools for evaluating driving capability and planning for transitions to non-driving for elderly Illinois relatives.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC, a federal resource center, provides Illinois Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, and Illinois Department on Aging staff with technical assistance on accessible transportation. Mothers caring for elderly Illinois parents or supporting a disabled child can find resources on Pace ADA Paratransit, CTA Ride Free Permits, downstate disability transportation, and aging-services transportation programs funded through Title III of the Older Americans Act.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Illinois?: Women's Corner tracks 16 transportation resources for women in Illinois.
Are transportation resources in Illinois free?: 10 of the 16 listed transportation resources in Illinois are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Illinois have transportation resources?: Listings span cities including Chicago, Arlington Heights, Normal, Springfield.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Illinois?: Featured entries include CTA — Chicago Transit Authority, Metra Commuter Rail — Chicago, Pace Suburban Bus, Connect Transit — Bloomington-Normal, Springfield Mass Transit District.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 16 Illinois transportation listings include phone numbers.
How do I get a free bus pass?: Most transit agencies have reduced or free passes for low-income riders, seniors, students, and people with disabilities — apply through the transit agency directly. TANF and SNAP recipients often qualify for free passes through state Human Services. Domestic violence shelters, job training programs, and recovery programs typically provide transit passes for participants.
Are there free rides to medical appointments?: Yes. Medicaid in every state covers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — call your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to schedule rides to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, and pharmacy. American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery and Angel Flight provide free transportation for cancer and serious illness. 211 can find local volunteer driver programs.
Can I get help buying or fixing a car?: Yes — Ways to Work, Modest Needs, Vehicles for Change, and 1-800-Charity-Cars provide low-interest loans or donated vehicles to low-income working parents. Many state TANF programs have car repair funds for parents who need transportation for work. Local United Way 211 has the most current list — funds rotate.
What if I have no transportation to my job?: Tell your American Job Center caseworker — WIOA can fund transportation as a 'supportive service' including bus passes, gas cards, and car repair. SNAP E&T and TANF work programs also pay for transportation. Many employers in low-wage industries (logistics, healthcare) now offer transit stipends or shuttle service from designated pickup points.