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OCR for page 39
TRANSIT AGENCIES OFFER TRANSPORTATION TO VETERANS Description of Transportation Services Offered by Transit Agencies Many local public transit agencies do not keep records of the trips that they provide to their local veteran population. Some local transit agencies do record trips that they provide to non-ambulatory veterans through the paratransit programs that they offer. Example of Transportation Services Offered by Transit Agencies In Lufkin, Texas, Brazos Transit contracts with Coach America and provides veterans' transportation services. The program began in 2007 with financial support from a foundation. A passenger coach provides daily services from Lufkin to the VAMC in Houston. The over-the-road coach can transport 51 veterans per trip and can also accommodate two wheelchair users. Brazos Transit oversees the program while the service is operated by Coach America. Medical reservations are handled by the local VA clinic. See Chapter 5 for additional examples of transportation services offered by transit agencies to veterans. VAMCS PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FOR VETERANS A number of VAMCs provide transportation information to help veterans make their own travel choices. For example, the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System provides the following information about transportation services in their region on their web page: "Many modes of transportation are available to enable our patients and their families to travel to the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Several transportation methods are listed below. ­ DAV Vans - complete van schedule from all of our spoke hospitals. ­ VAPHS Shuttles - for transportation between the three Pittsburgh facilities (University Drive, Highland Drive, and H.J. Heinz). Other Forms of Local Public Transportation 39

OCR for page 39
­ Mass Transit - Port Authority of Allegheny County and ACCESS Transportation. ­ p.r.n. Para Transit Service - (412) 824-2181 or 1-800-860-8222 ­ Yellow Cab - (412) 321-8100/8112 ­ Transcare Ambulance - (412) 373-0200." Veterans have a wider choice of travel options when they have this type of information. 40