The most direct routes depend on what you have access to right now

Getting to work is often the hardest part of keeping a job, especially if you don't have a car, live far from transit, or have a disability that makes driving unsafe. The route that works for you depends on three things: what transportation exists where you live, what you can afford, and whether you need help paying for it or getting trained to use it.

Some people use public transit. Some carpool with coworkers. Some use paratransit services designed for people with disabilities. Some get help paying for gas or a car payment through workforce programs. Some learn to use a new route—a bike, a scooter, a ride-share service—because their old way stopped working. This guide walks through what's actually available and how to find it in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Public transit, carpools, and paratransit are the most common free or low-cost ways to reach work, and your city or county can tell you which ones run near your job.
  • If you have a disability, paratransit services are legally required to exist in most cities with public transit, and you may not need to pay the full fare.
  • Workforce development programs and vocational rehabilitation agencies sometimes pay for transportation training or help cover gas and car payments for people working toward steady employment.
  • Ride-share services, bike-share, and scooter rentals cost money but may be cheaper than owning a car if you only need them a few days a week.
  • Your employer may offer carpool matching, transit subsidies, or flexible hours that make an existing route work better.

Public transit and how to find what runs near your work

Most cities and many rural areas have buses, trains, or both. The fastest way to see what's available is to go to Google Maps, enter your home address and your work address, and click "Transit." Google will show you every route that connects them, how long each takes, and what time you need to leave.

If Google Maps shows nothing, or if you want to talk to a person, call your city or county transit authority directly. They have a phone number and a website. Search "[your city] public transit" or "[your county] transportation" and you'll find it. They can tell you which routes serve your workplace, what the fare is, whether you may have access to for a discount (many offer reduced fares for low-income riders, seniors, or people with disabilities), and whether they sell monthly passes that cost less than paying per trip.

Transit is often the cheapest option if it exists near you. A monthly pass in most cities costs between $50 and $100. If your employer offers a transit subsidy—some do—they may pay part or all of it.

Paratransit services if you have a disability

If you have a disability that makes using regular public transit unsafe or impossible, paratransit is a door-to-door service that's legally required to exist in most cities with public transit. It picks you up at your home and drops you at work, usually for the same fare as a regular bus or train, sometimes less. You call ahead to book a ride, usually the day before or a few days before.

To use paratransit, you first need to be registered with the service. Call your city's paratransit program (search "[your city] paratransit" or ask your transit authority) and ask how to register. You'll need to describe your disability and how it affects your ability to use regular transit. Some programs ask for medical documentation; some don't. Registration usually takes a week or two.

Paratransit is slower than regular transit because the vehicle makes many stops, so plan for longer travel time. But if regular transit isn't an option for you, it's usually the most reliable way to get to work consistently.

Carpools and employer-based transportation

Carpooling with coworkers costs nothing if you split gas, or very little. Ask your employer whether they have a carpool matching program—many do, especially larger employers. If not, ask coworkers directly whether anyone lives near you and drives to work. You can also post in a local community Facebook group or Nextdoor asking for carpool partners near your workplace.

Some employers also offer transit subsidies, flexible start times so you can catch a later bus, or shuttle services from a central location. Ask your HR department or manager what's available. These cost you nothing and can make an existing route work much better.

Workforce programs that help pay for transportation

If you're working toward steady employment and transportation is the main barrier, workforce development agencies sometimes pay for it. These programs go by different names in different states—Vocational Rehabilitation, WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), or local workforce boards—but they all exist to help people get and keep jobs.

To find your local workforce board, search "[your state] workforce development" or go to CareerOneStop.org and enter your zip code. Call and ask whether they have funding for transportation. Some programs pay for a bus pass for a few months while you're training or starting a new job. Some help you buy a used car or pay for a driver's license if you need one to work. Some pay for transportation training—teaching you how to use transit safely, or how to drive if you've never done it.

You don't need to be unemployed to use these programs. Many serve people who are working but struggling to stay employed because of transportation barriers. may be able to access varies by state and program, so call and describe your situation.

Ride-share, bike-share, and scooter rentals

If public transit doesn't run when you need it, or if your workplace is far from a bus stop, ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft, bike-share programs, or electric scooter rentals may fill the gap. These cost money—a ride-share trip usually costs $8 to $20 depending on distance, and bike-share or scooter rentals cost $1 to $3 per trip—but they may be cheaper than owning a car if you only need them a few days a week.

Some cities offer subsidized ride-share for low-income riders. Search "[your city] subsidized ride-share" or call your transit authority to ask. A few cities have programs that give low-income residents credits toward Uber or Lyft rides.

Bike-share and scooter-share are cheapest if your commute is short and flat. Most cities have apps that show you where bikes and scooters are parked and how much a trip costs. Try a few trips before you commit to it as your main route.

Asking your employer for help or flexibility

Before you assume transportation is impossible, talk to your employer. Many will work with you on timing or cost. Some offer flexible start times so you can catch a later bus. Some let you work from home one or two days a week, cutting your commute in half. Some offer transit passes as part of your benefits package. Some will let you adjust your schedule around the bus or train you need to catch.

If you have a disability, your employer is legally required to consider reasonable accommodations—which can include flexible hours, remote work, or help with transportation costs. Ask your HR department or manager what's possible. The worst they can say is no.

When your usual route stops working

Sometimes the route you've been using—a carpool, a family member's ride, a car you owned—falls apart. When that happens, you have a few days to find a new way before you miss work. The fastest step is to call your transit authority or use Google Maps to see what public transit is available right now. If nothing runs at the time you need, call your employer and ask whether they can adjust your hours temporarily while you figure out a new route.

If you're in crisis—you have a job starting tomorrow and no way to get there—call 211 (a free helpline that connects you to local resources) and tell them you need emergency transportation help. They can sometimes connect you to one-time information or a local nonprofit that helps with this. You can also call your local workforce board and explain the situation; some have emergency funds for exactly this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if there's no public transit where I live?

Rural areas often have limited or no public transit. Call your county transportation department to ask what exists—some counties run buses on specific days or routes. If nothing is available, carpooling is usually the cheapest option. Ask coworkers, post in local community groups, or call your workforce board to ask whether they fund transportation in rural areas.

Can I get help paying for a car if I need one for work?

Some workforce programs and vocational rehabilitation agencies help with car payments or help you buy a used car, but it depends on your state and situation. Call your local workforce board or state vocational rehabilitation agency and describe what you need. They'll tell you whether funding exists.

What if I can't use public transit because of a disability?

Paratransit is legally required to exist in most cities with public transit. Call your transit authority and ask how to register. If paratransit doesn't exist in your area, ask your workforce board or vocational rehabilitation agency whether they can help pay for an alternative like ride-share or a personal assistant.

Do I have to tell my employer I'm having trouble getting to work?

You don't have to, but it often helps. Many employers will adjust your hours, offer a transit subsidy, or let you work from home if you explain the barrier. If you have a disability, your employer is required to consider accommodations. Talking to HR or your manager is usually faster than solving it alone.

What if I'm starting a new job and need transportation right away?

Call 211 and tell them you need emergency transportation help. Ask your new employer whether they can adjust your start date or hours while you set up a route. Call your local workforce board and explain the situation—some have emergency information. In the meantime, use Google Maps to see what public transit or ride-share is available, even if it's temporary.