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Social Justice Center

Transportation Resources in Dane County

Originally written by Nicole Parmenter, Badger Volunteer Spring 2023.  Updated by Liz Bynum Sorrell and Skylar Kocourek for Fall 2023

 

Transportation is an essential part of everyday life. Being able to get to work, school or medical appointments is a necessity, but unfortunately, having a reliable and affordable way to get around can be a challenge. However, there are some resources in Dane County to make transportation more accessible. Read on to learn more about what’s available to help you get where you need to go.

 

Public Transportation

Madison Metro Transit

Madison Metro operates the public transportation system in Dane County.

You can find information on their routes and schedules on their website.

Metro Transit passes can be purchased online, or in-person at designated locations. (Find the full list of locations on the Metro Transit website.)

Metro Transit allows eligible riders to purchase reduced fare transit passes. These 31-day passes cost $28. You may be able to purchase one of these passes if you can: 

  • Show your valid Wisconsin QUEST/ EBT/ SNAP/ Food Share card when buying a pass.
  • Complete a form saying that your income is at or below 150% of the national poverty guideline. You can fill out this form when you purchase your fare pass. No additional paperwork is required, and you’ll receive a six-month fare pass.
    • For context, in 2023, an individual person with an income at or below $21,870 would qualify. For more information on income levels, you can review this chart from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

 

These reduced fare passes are made available on a first-come, first-served basis on the 1st and 15th day of each month at:

 

Reduced fares are also available for: 

  • People over age 65, who complete an application and provide proof of age
  • People with disabilities, who complete an application and are certified by a nurse or physician

 

Transportation for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Dane County Department of Human Services Transportation Call Center provides group and individual transportation services to help seniors and people with disabilities remain independent and in their own homes. Rides are provided for:

The Department offers multiple types of ride programs, and the programs have different eligibility criteria. To find out which program is the right fit for you, visit the Department’s website. You can also call (608) 242-6489 or email TransportationCallCenter@countyofdane.com

 

The YWCA offers specialized transportation for seniors and people with disabilities to get around their community and to needed services. 

How to access: contact the YWCA Employment Services & Transit Director at 608-257-1436, option 3.

 

Madison Metro’s Paratransit service provides rides to individuals with disabilities who cannot use Metro’s accessible fixed-route bus service. 

How to access: Gaining access to Metro’s paratransit services is a multi-step process. First, individuals complete an application form and return it to Metro transit by mail. After Metro Transit receives your application, they may contact you to request more information or to schedule an in-person assessment. You will receive an eligibility decision within 21 days after you complete the application process. If you have questions or If you would like to receive an application through the mail, you can call (608) 266-4466.

 

Transportation for Job Interviews or Work

The Dane County Department of Human Services Transportation Call Center has multiple programs to support people who need transportation support to look for work or to travel to work.

Employment Transportation Assistance (ETA) provides bus passes for individuals who are unemployed and people with low-incomes who are looking for work. This program can be used on Madison Metro Transit.

How to access: To apply, fill out and mail in the Transportation Intake Form. If you have questions, you can contact the Transportation Call Center at (608) 242-6489 or TransportationCallCenter@countyofdane.com

Rideline Service provides people with scheduled rides to work, job interviews, volunteer opportunities, education, or training across all of Dane County. Door-to-door and accessible vehicle service is available. This is generally a temporary transportation service. The program is available to Dane County residents who live in rural areas without access to public transit. Depending on your ability to pay, you may need to pay a co-pay for this service.

How to access: Contact the Transportation Call Center at (608) 242-6489 or TransportationCallCenter@countyofdane.com.

 

Work n’ Wheels Car Loan Program offers 0% interest loans to people with low-incomes who live in rural areas. These loans can be used to buy a vehicle to travel to and from work.

How to access: Contact Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc. (SWCAP) at (608) 935-2326 or contact the Transportation Call Center at (608) 242-6489 or TransportationCallCenter@countyofdane.com.

 

YWCA Job Ride helps people with low incomes travel to and from work. The service is only available to people who do not have access to a public transit line. Depending on your income, the service may be free or available at a low cost.

How to access: You can apply for this service online or by filling out and returning a paper application. As of November 6, 2023, the service is not accepting new riders. If you fill out an application, you will be added to the waitlist. If you have questions, contact (608) 257-1436, option 3.

 

Transportation for Medical Appointments

The Supplemental Medical Transportation Assistance (SMTA) program provides scheduled, individual rides to medical appointments. This service is available to people who are traveling to medical appointments treatments that are frequent, long, or far from the person’s home. Your co-pay for the service is based on on your ability to pay. Door-to-door and accessible vehicle service is available.  The County also provides a

How to access: Contact the Transportation Call Center at (608) 242-6489 or TransportationCallCenter@countyofdane.com.

 

Veyo provides helps people travel to Wisconsin Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus covered health care appointments. Veyo’s service is only available when a person has no other way to get to a medical appointment. Depending on your situation, Veyo may offer gas mileage reimbursement, refer you to public transportation, or connect you with a ride.

How to access: To schedule a ride to routine services, call Veyo at 866-907-1493 at least two business days before your appointment. You can call between 7:00am and 6:00pm central, Monday through Friday.

 

RSVP of Dane County’s Driver Escort Service provides rides to medical appointments for Dane County residents, typically age 60 and older. This is a volunteer run service, and RSVP volunteers drive people to their appointments in their own cars. The service is free and available to you if you Live in Dane County, in your own home, condo or apartment, Are not in a wheelchair, Are not on Medicaid (i.e. BadgerCare, Medical Assistance), and have received all the vaccines recommended by the CDC and Madison and Dane County. 

How to access: If you live in Madison or Monona, call RSVP at (608) 441-7898.

If you live in Dane County outside of Madison, contact your local senior center.

If you are a Veteran of any age or the family member of a Veteran, please see our Vets Helping Vets page.

 

Learning to Drive

Operation Fresh Start’s Drive to Succeed program helps young people ages 17-21 who have been involved in the justice system obtain drivers’ licenses. The program also provides mentoring and helps participants earn a high school diploma or GED/HSED.

 

Reinstating your driver’s license

The YWCA’s Driver’s License Recovery program provides support to people who need to get their driver’s license reinstated. You may be eligible for support if your license was suspended due to unpaid traffic tickets in Dane County or because of a Dane County child support lien and you need a driver’s license to get to and from work/school, to transport children to and from childcare, or to obtain a job that requires a license.

How to access: You can make a virtual appointment online to get more information about getting your license reinstated. If you’re eligible, you may be connected to additional services. Alternatively, you can also attend in-person informational clinics. Thse in-person clinics take place 2nd Wednesday of Every month (1:00-4:00pm at the Job Center, 1819 Aberg Ave) and the 4th Tuesday of every month (10:00am – 2:00pm – By Appointment at the YWCA Empowerment Center, 2040 South Park Street). Finally, you can also complete a screening form. You can fill out and submit this form online , return a completed, print copy in person to the  YWCA Empowerment Center (2040 South Park Street), or submit your completed form by fax, (608) 395-2598.

 

Lift Wisconsin provides free legal services to help people who need to have their driver’s license records reinstated. They can also connect you with help to pay for your driver’s license reinstatement fee.

How to access: Schedule an appointment for legal services by emailing info@liftwisconsin.org. You can fill out the form to request help paying for your driver’s license reinstatement fee online. You can also call 608-305-4829 to get more information.

 

Gas Cards

Neighborhood House Community Center provides transportation assistance through gas cards or bus passes. Not everyone who applies will receive assistance. Those who do, will receive either a $50 fuel gift card to a gas station or a 31-day bus pass. A new application process opens each quarter. Individuals can only apply once each quarter. This program is available to people who need help accessing transportation for work, school, medical visits, food access, or childcare. 

Address: 29 S. Mills St., Madison, WI 53715

Phone: 608-255-5337

Phone: 866-907-1493

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

 

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