National Online Dialogue on Veterans' Transportation Ideas

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.

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 »

In the Chicago area, there are VA medical service locations, which offer vanpool service to and from. There also is a good local public transit - paratransit service - if in some format there was coordination between the government entities, there would be a greater choice, less wait time, and savings for such entities. But the government powers that be are not willing to share or reduce there oversight of transit services.... more »

One of the challenges to coordinating operations between human service transportation providers and MSO/VSO transportation providers is the lack of easy mechanisms for being able to send trip request or vehicle availability information between providers. Aside from phone calls and faxes, there is no straightforward and secure means to communicate between systems unless perhaps the providers are using the same scheduling... 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.... more »