How to Get a Free Bus Pass

Transportation is getting more and more expensive so it’s more important than ever to know how to get free bus passes in your community. After all, you need a reliable way to get around that won’t break the bank.

At Low Income Relief, we help people connect with resources and benefits in their local communities. The following resource list has been compiled and fact-checked for your convenience. Please note that it is organized alphabetically by state, so you will need to find your local state.

How to Get a Free Bus Pass in the US

These services assist eligible people all over the United States and may be able to provide free bus passes. However, it’s important that you read their specific eligibility requirements since each organization sets their own rules.

Pinetop Assistance League for Elder Musicians

Musicians who are at least 50 years old, have played professionally on stage, has played on professional albums and CDs, and have a household income of $30,000 or less may be able to receive assistance from Pinetop. They can assist with rent, utilities, medical expenses, transportation and even burial costs.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a nationwide organization that is dedicated to delivering loving, compassionate, person-to-person assistance through local chapters. Each chapter offers slightly different services, and financial assistance may be limited in some areas.

Many St. Vincent de Paul councils and chapters offer bus passes, including but not limited to The Archdiocesan Council of Sante Fe.

The Salvation Army

Some chapters of The Salvation Army offer bus passes! Like St. Vincent de Paul, this organization is nationwide but services vary based on the policies and programs offered by the local organizations.

We were able to confirm that bus passes are available from several chapters, including but not limited to the ones in Albuquerque.

How to Get a Free Bus Pass by State

As usual, many of the most helpful agencies are very local. We will continue adding organizations to this list as we find them, but for now these are the state-specific agencies that may be able to help you with a free bus pass.

Alabama

Christian Mission Centers (Enterprise)

The Christian Mission Center‘s Benevolence Assistance Program offers assistance with many different needs, including:

• Rent/Mortgage
• Utilities
• Hotel costs
• Transportation (including free bus pass or gasoline)
• Childcare services
• Medical equipment loans
• Food
• Thrift store vouchers (including clothing, furniture, appliances and more)

Etowah Baptist Mission Center (Etowah County)

The Etowah Baptist Mission Center offers a variety of assistance programs. You will need to make an appointment in order to receive assistance. One of the things they can help with are emergency transportation costs.

Arizona

Home Free Program (statewide)

The Home Free Program provides free one-way bus tickets for runaway youth so that they can reunite with their families or find an alternate living arrangement.

Valley Metro Reduced Fare Program

Youth, seniors, and people with disabilities may be able to receive a reduced fare on local bus routes and light rail. You’ll need to apply for a reduced fare card. You can apply on the Valley Metro website.

Vista del Camino (Scottsdale)

Low income residents of Scottsdale may be able to receive emergency transportation assistance from Vista del Camino.

California

Valley Churches United Missions (Santa Cruz County)

The Valley Churches United Missions can assist with a single-day free bus pass or a gas voucher, as well as driver’s license renewals, car registration, clothing, crisis utility assistance, and more. Gas vouchers are limited to eligible clients who need help getting to medical appointments.

Colorado

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado (El Paso County)

When funds are available, the Catholic Charities of Central Colorado can assist with gas cards or a free bus pass.

Mercy’s Gate (El Paso County)

Eligible clients can receive up to 10 bus tokens from Mercy’s Gate. You can only receive this twice per calendar year. They can also assist with eye exams, glasses, clothing, household items, medical costs, utilities, rent assistance and more.

Iowa

Adel Ministerial Association (Adel, DeSoto, Minburn)

The Adel Ministerial Association is a cooperative effort between many different churches in the area. The Association has provided Iowa rent assistance, utility assistance, as well as help with bus tickets, gas expenses, medical emergencies and more.

CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank (Johnson County)

This incredible organization provides judgment-free assistance for anyone facing emotional, food or financial crises in the Iowa City area. They offer crisis support, as well as assistance with rent, utilities, security deposits, birth certificates, identification, work supplies (such as boots or uniforms), clothing vouchers, bus tickets, prescriptions and even temporary mailing addresses for people experiencing homelessness.

Cross Outreach (Des Moines)

Cross Outreach provides homelessness prevention and basic needs services. Their various programs may be able to help with Iowa rent assistance, security deposit assistance, electric or water assistance, laundromat vouchers, bus tokens, personal hygiene items like toilet paper or toothpaste, and more.

US Freedom Foundation (Statewide)

The Freedom Foundation is an organization that helps veterans. It’s based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This organization provides a veterans center with a pool table, computer lab, poker table and more. They also offer financial assistance with food, holiday meals, motel vouchers, utility payments, bus rides, emergency medical care and more.

Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance Inc. (Story County)

Good Neighbor provides rent and utility assistance. They may also be able to assist with phone cards, gas vouchers, public transportation tickets, emergency food vouchers, as well as help with cell phone bills and internet bills!

Information Referral & Assistance Services (Clinton County)

This is an incredible agency! Information Referral and Assistance Services can provide Iowa rent assistance as well as help with utilities, bus passes, eyeglasses, medications, personal hygiene items, work clothes, holiday food boxes, food, and weekend food packages for children in school.

Kansas

Doorstep Topeka (Shawnee County)

Doorstep offers rent assistance, food, clothing, prescription assistance, gas vouchers, bus tickets and more to Topeka residents in need. Each person is limited to two bus passes in a 12-month period.

First Call for Help (Ellis County)

First Call for Help provides assistance with bus passes for transient individuals. This assistance is limited and it’s coordinated by law enforcement, so you will need to contact the Hays dispatch center to connect with this resource.

Montana

Good Samaritan Ministries (Helena)

Good Samaritan Ministries offers financial assistance with emergency needs, including auto repair, lodging, medical, dental, vision, job skills development, medications, phones, propane, bus passes, gas, utilities and more. They also offer rental assistance.

Hope Rescue Mission (Missoula)

The Hope Rescue Mission in Montana assists with rent if you are willing to let them advocate on your behalf. They may also be able to assist with gas vouchers, rental applications, deposits, bus tickets, utilities, camping supplies, auto repair, phones, showers, clothing, food and more!

Nevada

Emergency Aid of Boulder City Inc. (Boulder City)

Emergency Aid of Boulder City assists Boulder City residents and stranded travelers. The agency can assist with food, rent assistance, utilities, short-term lodging, transportation, gas, auto repair, and medical help for eligible clients when funds are available.

New Hampshire

Town & City Welfare (Statewide)

New Hampshire state law requires every town and city in the state to offer a welfare program to those who need help. As such, every town and county has a welfare office that can assist with basic needs like rent, mortgage payments, utilities, food, clothing, transportation expenses like bus passes and prescriptions. The office may be able to help with basic telephone service and even consumable items like diapers, paper products and household supplies.

Oregon

Centro Latino Americano (Lane County)

Centro Latino Americano provides a range of services for Latino families. They can provide some crisis assistance, as well as help accessing benefit programs. It appears that they can provide direct assistance with rent in emergency situations. They can also assist with food, bus passes, diapers, employment advocacy, notary services and more.

FISH of Albany

FISH of Albany provides bus tickets for people who need local assistance with employment, medical or emergency travel. You will be expected to provide proof of your need and eligibility.

Transition Projects (Multnomah County)

Transition Projects has a program called Ticket Home Family Reunification. This program provides one-time transportation assistance that helps people who are homeless in Multnomah County get to safe and stable housing outside of Multnomah County. In order to be eligible, the organization must be able to verify that you will have safe and stable housing for at least three months after your arrival.

Silverton Area Community Aid

If you are a resident of the Silver Falls School District area, then SACA may be able to assist you with bus tickets. They can also help with gas vouchers, rent, utilities, propane, dental and more.

Siuslaw Outreach Services (Florence)

Siuslaw offers transportation assistance to low income clients who are in crisis. You may be able to receive help with a bus pass, taxi service, or gas for your personal vehicle. Assistance is based on your circumstances, so you’ll need to apply and talk to them for more information.

Rhode Island

McAuley House (Providence)

Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, the McAuley House provides some incredible services to their community. In addition to offering rental assistance, the McAuley House also assists with daily meals, food, furniture, utilities, legal services, bus passes, personal care items, counseling and crisis intervention, help obtaining IDs and other personal documents, and more!

South Dakota

The Community Outreach (Sioux Falls)

The Community Outreach is a partnership dedicated to helping the working poor in the Sioux Empire. They provide bus passes, auto repair services, housing assistance and more.

Minnehaha County Human Services (Sioux Falls)

The County’s Human Services Department may be able to assist with certain financial needs, including bus passes, rent and more. Details can be found on their website.

Vermont

Joseph’s House (Burlington)

Located in Burlington, Joseph’s House can provide assistance with bus passes for local routes. They can also help with clothing, laundry vouchers, hygiene items, baby items, and utility bill costs. They may also be able to help you get a photo ID if you don’t have one.

Washington

Project Hope (Lynden)

Project Hope offers bus passes, as well as gas vouchers, car repair assistance, clothing and household items, laundry vouchers and more.

West Virginia

Christ Church United Methodist (Charleston)

This ministry helps those who are in need of financial assistance. On their website, they state that they can help those who need a bus ticket to get to an appointment or the grocery store. They can also assist with utilities, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, diapers and wipes and more.

EnAct Community Action (Certain Counties Only)

EnAct Community Action serves Kanawha, Boone, Fayette, Clay and Putnam. They offer WV rental assistance as well as food, car repair assistance, emergency home repairs, tuition, books, employment supplies, emergency transportation like bus passes and more.

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.