Runaway Teens Can Get Free Greyhound Bus Tickets So They Can Go Home

Did you know Greyhound works with the National Runaway Safeline program to offer runaway kids a free ticket home? Keep Reading to Learn More about the Home Free program…

Read a coming of age tale (affiliate) about a runaway teen who travels cross-country and discovers that sometimes life lessons come from places we least expect them.

Every year, around 400 kids and teenagers who have run away get a free ride home with Greyhound, anywhere in the U.S. It’s part of their Home Free program, and here’s how it works…

Runaway Kids Can Get Free Bus Tickets So They Can Go Home

Home Free program provides free Greyhound bus tickets to runaway kids and their family members across the country.

About Greyhound’s Home Free Program

The Home Free program provides free bus Greyhound tickets to kids between the ages of 12 to 21 who would like to be reunited with their families. Greyhound works with the National Runaway Safeline, a national communication system which aims to keep America’s homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth safe and off the streets.

The program was established by Greyhound in 1987, the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation. Over the year, they have provided free transportation to more than 20,000 youth and their family members across the country. 

How to Get Free Greyhound Bus Tickets

To be eligible for the ticket home, the child has to call the NRS helpline at 1-800-RUNAWAY, be named on a runaway report and be willing to be reunited with their family — and vice versa. 

The program can be used twice by the same person, and it also gives a free ticket to the parent or legal guardian when the young person is under the age of 15.

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Why Do Kids Runaway from Home?

Kids and teenagers run away for a variety of reasons. They are usually running away from something, and their home situation typically involves several problems instead of one problem, according to the NRS. 

Runaways are not “bad” kids.

Runaways “are dealing with a situation that feels overwhelming, be it family dynamics, bullying, gender identity or being lured from home over the internet. They believe living anywhere else is better; even if this means living on the streets…

“Anyone may run away from home when situations become devastating for them. And it is important to understand that a youth’s reason for leaving is unique to that individual. There is no such thing as a “typical” runaway. Runaway youth come from every kind of neighborhood, rich or poor, rural or urban.”

Learn more here.

About two million young people run away each year, leaving them at risk for homelessness, exploitation, assault, illness, and suicide.

Greyhound offers free bus ticket home to runaway kids

If you or someone you know has run away and wants to come home or needs help, call 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929), visit 1800runaway.org to chat live with someone or text 66008.

Learn more about all the ways Greyhound helps support the community below:

Does Greyhound Give Free Rides?

Greyhound works with the National Runaway Safeline to make sure runaway kids have a ticket home to get back to their families or legal guardians. To be eligible for a Greyhound ticket home, the child has to call the NRS helpline at 1-800-RUNAWAY, be between 12 and 21 years old, be named on a runaway report, and be willing to be reunited with their family (and vice versa). Home Free Program can only be used on two occasions by the same person. Greyhound also provides a free ticket for the parent or legal guardian if the young person is under the age of 15.

Does Greyhound Give Free Rides to Organ Transplant Patients?

Every year, Greyhound provides the American Organ Transplant Association (AOTA) with free round trip vouchers that they give out to patients. If there’s someone accompanying the patient, they also get a free ticket (having support on the journey can mean a lot). If you’re a social worker or transplant coordinator, you can find out more about this service and get a transportation request form at www.aotaonline.org

How Can I Get Discounted Bus Tickets?

Greyhound works with Travelers Aid International to provide bus tickets to travelers who need help completing their journey. This could be a vulnerable young person trying to get home, an elderly person who may have missed their bus or just someone who’s down on their luck.

Does Greyhound Offer a Military Discount or Give Free Tickets?

In addition to a 10% discount to U.S. military, Greyhound gives discounts to patients traveling to and from Veterans Affairs Hospitals as part of the Veterans Transportation Program. The Office of Veterans Affairs recognizes veterans who face challenges traveling to their Veterans Affairs health care appointments, whether that’s due to living in remote or rural areas, visual impairment, old age, disease or disability. By providing discounted tickets as part of the Veterans Transportation Program, Greyhound helps veterans all across the country access the medical care they need at Veterans Affairs hospitals.