Bay Area · 9 counties · open to everyone
Getting there — rides & transportation
How a patient actually gets to care after leaving the hospital — to a skilled-nursing bed, dialysis, or a follow-up visit. These are the real ride options in the Bay Area and how to set them up. We don't book the ride or decide who qualifies — the plan or agency does; we point you to the right place and tell you what to ask.
Rides to medical care (Medi-Cal)
Medi-Cal Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
- Who it's for
- Medi-Cal members who can't get to covered medical care by car or bus because of a medical or physical condition (for example, they need a wheelchair van or a gurney/litter van).
- What it covers
- Rides to and from covered medical appointments by wheelchair van, litter van, or ambulance when a provider says it's medically needed.
- How to set up
- Ask your doctor or the hospital discharge team for a transportation request, then call your Medi-Cal managed care plan (or its transportation line) to set up the ride. There's no cost to you.
Checked 2026-06-09
Medi-Cal Non-Medical Transportation (NMT)
- Who it's for
- Medi-Cal members who need a ride to a covered medical or dental appointment, the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, or to pick up medical supplies.
- What it covers
- Rides by car, taxi, rideshare, or bus pass to medical visits and the pharmacy — for members who don't need a medical (wheelchair/gurney) vehicle.
- How to set up
- Call your Medi-Cal managed care plan's member services or transportation line to book a ride, usually a few days ahead. There's no cost to you.
Checked 2026-06-09
Door-to-door for disabilities (paratransit)
ADA paratransit (door-to-door)
- Who it's for
- People whose disability keeps them from using regular buses or trains. Each county has its own service — for example East Bay Paratransit (Alameda & Contra Costa), SF Paratransit, VTA/Outreach (Santa Clara), Redi-Wheels (San Mateo), and Marin Access.
- What it covers
- Shared door-to-door rides for any purpose (not just medical) within the service area, at a low fare. You usually apply once to become eligible, then book trips.
- How to set up
- Look up your county's paratransit service on 511 (linked below) or ask the hospital social worker, then apply for eligibility and reserve rides ahead of time.
Checked 2026-06-09
Buses, trains & trip planning
511 Bay Area — transit & trip planning
- Who it's for
- Anyone getting around the 9-county Bay Area by bus, train, or ferry.
- What it covers
- Free trip planning across every Bay Area transit agency, plus accessibility info and discount-fare (senior/disability Clipper) details.
- How to set up
- Plan a trip at 511.org or call 511. The Clipper START program offers discounted fares for eligible riders.
Checked 2026-06-09
For veterans
VA travel pay & Veterans Transportation Service
- Who it's for
- Eligible veterans traveling to VA or VA-authorized medical care.
- What it covers
- Mileage reimbursement for travel to VA care, and—where available—rides through the Veterans Transportation Service for veterans without another way to get there.
- How to set up
- Ask your VA medical center's travel office or social worker, or file a travel claim online after your appointment.
Checked 2026-06-09
Help finding a ride
211 — help finding a ride
- Who it's for
- Anyone who isn't sure what ride options they have — including seniors and people who need volunteer-driver or low-cost rides.
- What it covers
- A free, confidential phone line that connects you to local transportation programs (volunteer drivers, senior rides, medical-trip help) near you.
- How to set up
- Dial 211, or visit 211.org, any time — it's free and available in many languages.
Checked 2026-06-09
Transportation programs and their rules change; counties run their own paratransit services. We re-check these on a schedule and link you to the official program — always confirm coverage, fares, and how far ahead to book before you rely on a ride.