National Online Dialogue on Veterans' Transportation

Browse Ideas with tag 'transportation options':

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  For Individual Participants: Overcoming Barriers »

  Amtrak

  A number of commenters' have included the need to better use existing transportation systems and the ability to get information quickly through technology. Our existing network, which has over 500 stations across the U.S., has 220 stations located near VA facilities. We believe there are opportunities for veterans to use Amtrak’s system to travel to appointments at these VA facilities and get the best care possible. ...more »

  A number of commenters' have included the need to better use existing transportation systems and the ability to get information quickly through technology. Our existing network, which has over 500 stations across the U.S., has 220 stations located near VA facilities. We believe there are opportunities for veterans to use Amtrak’s system to travel to appointments at these VA facilities and get the best care possible.

  We offer three different travel options that veterans may wish to use while traveling. First, we offer our 10% discount on rail tickets to all active military personnel with their United States Military Identification Card. For veterans, we offer a 15% discount on tickets for members of the Veterans Advantage program. To learn more about the Veterans Advantage card, please visit http://www.veteransadvantage.com. Finally we offer a 15% discount for people with disabilities if written documentation is provided.

  When booking your trip, requests can be made for wheelchair space, accessible/transfer seats (for when you travel in a seat and stow your wheelchair), and accessible bedroom accommodations. Also when booking, you can call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL to request a uniformed Amtrak staff member assist you with your luggage, getting around the station, and getting on and off the train. Once on the train, our onboard conductors stand ready to assist with needs while on the train.

  We also have an iPhone app that allows veterans, and anyone with the app, to get simple and intuitive access to the travel information they need, book a trip, and stay up-to-date as trains arrive.

  As further information, Amtrak employs 1,550 military veterans, comprising 7.9% of our workforce and since January 2011, Amtrak has hired 295 veterans accounting for 10.5% of total hires during that period.

  If you do have any comments that you would like specifically directed to Amtrak, please contact us at 1-800-USA-RAIL or at www.amtrak.com and click on the contact us.

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  1 comment for Idea: Amtrak

  Submitted by Amtrak - Devon Mills 11 months ago

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  For Provider Participants: Policy »

  The One-Size-Fit-All to Getting a Ride

  I have found the greater need for Veterans is reliable, affordable, transportation to their medical appointments. Missed appointments and preventive care visits lead to influx emergency care, resulting in increased expenses for everyone. The solution is Coordinated Transporation Scheduling through Emerging Technology. It would be very efficient for medical appointment scheduler personnel to coordinate the transportation ...more »

  I have found the greater need for Veterans is reliable, affordable, transportation to their medical appointments. Missed appointments and preventive care visits lead to influx emergency care, resulting in increased expenses for everyone. The solution is Coordinated Transporation Scheduling through Emerging Technology. It would be very efficient for medical appointment scheduler personnel to coordinate the transportation needs. This is how I envision it will work:

  1. The Veteran calls to schedule an appointment

  2. The Appointment scheduler advises which date is available and asks if transportation services will be needed.

  3. The Veteran confirms transportation services will be needed either round-trip or one-way, then confirm the pick-up address location.

  4. The Appointment scheduler gives the Veteran a confirmation number for this service and of course, thanks them for their call.

  Now the question, what’s the point of the confirmation number and asking if transportation is needed? Here are the next steps which involves a Coordinated Integrated Technology System (CITS):

  1. The CITS system is integrated with the Appointment Scheduler system.

  2. All contracted Transportation providers (whether volunteer or private) are registered with this system and have created a profile consisting of their available services, hours of operation, service areas, special needs accommodated, etc.

  3. These transportation providers will log into the CITS system to see what transportation has been scheduled that requires transportation in their service areas. They will need to accept or reject.

  4. If accepted, then that means that transportation provider has accepted they will provide transportation service for that appointment.

  5. If rejected, that transportation request will roll over to other providers in the system until it is accepted.

  6. This coordination system should also be integrated with GIS and GPS to have a complete technology solution.

  7. Coordinated training and setup should be available for these transportation providers, which involves everyone receiving the same training, information, and materials regardless of your state.

  Lastly, but certainly not least, where would this funding come from to support this effort and make it attractive for providers to join and Veterans affordable to use?

  1. Just as they have sales tax, school tax, cell phone tax, etc. there should be a tax VET transportation tax that is collected from citizens to fund this initiative; this will need to be further evaluated to determine what would be the best tax structure for this where a nominal tax is collected. For example if you had a population of 3M people and you collected .15 tax, that would be a total of $450K…cents adds up!

  2. FTA or VTS should look into funding this effort by eliminating other programs that are not proven productive programs.

  3. VA Hospitals and other service entities should pay into this effort as it will cut down on missed appointments, increased quality of service delivery, and emergency care.

  These ideas can be better evolved, but this should be a good starting point of conversation.

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  2 comments for Idea: The One-Size-Fit-All to Getting a Ride

  Submitted by mhumphries26 1 year ago

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  For Provider Participants: Communications »

  Use Vet Networks to Find Volunteers

  I'm a mobility manager in upstate New York. I have a call center when people can get transportation planning assistance. I recently found out that there is a veterans support group in our area which has a listserve, connecting veterans and allowing them to help each other. Through this list serve, I was able to find a volunteer to assist a rural caller of mine who needed a ride to the grocery store a few times per ...more »

  I'm a mobility manager in upstate New York. I have a call center when people can get transportation planning assistance. I recently found out that there is a veterans support group in our area which has a listserve, connecting veterans and allowing them to help each other. Through this list serve, I was able to find a volunteer to assist a rural caller of mine who needed a ride to the grocery store a few times per month. These kinds of vet networks can be powerful tools for connecting those in need with those who wish to serve.

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  7 comments for Idea: Use Vet Networks to Find Volunteers

  Submitted by mobilitymanagementa 1 year ago

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  For Provider Participants: Policy »

  Long-distance and local Veteran Travel Widely Available

  The National Resource Directory lists and describes a very large and diverse number of transportation options for veterans and/or wounded warriors. My organization talks to people every day who do not know this government directory web site even exists.

  Check it out. All kinds of sources for transportation help. Thanks.

  7 comments for Idea: Long-distance and local Veteran Travel Widely Available

  Submitted by mercymed 1 year ago

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