Veterans Transportation Katherine Manning Portage Area Regional Transit Authority (PARTA)
My Background Vice President, Burges and Burges Director of Planning, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority Director of Planning, Portage Area Regional Transit Authority
SARTA’s VTCLI Grant Veterans Transportation Community Living Initiative FTA Awarded $64 million to help veterans, military families and others connect to jobs and services in their communities by improving access to local transportation options. Total Grant award $420,000 IVR, Web and SMS integration of paratransit services.
Creating New Relationships New relationships developed with the Veterans and gaps in transportation identified. Stark County Veteran Services Commission (VSC) identified need for better/lower cost transportation. Small, aging, non-ADA vans 1 trip M-F to the VA Hospital in Cleveland (60 miles) Left early in the morning and waited into the afternoon Part-time drivers
SARTA’s Plan Developed a contract with VSC to create open-door fixed route service to Cleveland stopping: Cornerstone (Downtown Transit Center) American Legion Wade Park VA Hospital Downtown Cleveland American Legion Cornerstone (Downtown Transit Center) Service 3 times a day (8:35am,12:30pm and 4:20pm)
Benefits for VSC All buses are ADA accessible, seat up to 28 individuals plus 2 wheelchairs (allowing for Veterans to bring a spouse, etc.) Full-Time CDL Drivers Unlimited passes for Veterans on the Cleveland Route (must book through the VSC) Other non-VSC passengers pay $2.50 per ride Cost $16,250 quarterly – less than current service costs.
Marketing Cleveland Route ▪ To help pay for the Veterans Route, we also promoted the Cleveland Route…
Veterans at PARTA … Received a VTCLI Grant In 2014, PARTA unveiled a Veterans Memorial in Downtown Kent. Family members, Friends and Veterans can purchase bricks to honor those who served in the military to become part of the military. A ceremony is held every year on Veterans Day.
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