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Investing in Transit to Support Veterans
Investing in Transit to Support Veterans
Public transit helps veterans live affordably and access the specialized health care from the Veterans Administration (VA) that they earned. Transportation barriers currently lead to poor health outcomes and significant financial waste due to missed appointments and costly specialized medical transport.
Congress must provide robust, sustained funding for both rural and urban transit systems, as well as veterans’ programs, to fulfill our nation’s promise to those who served.
Quick Facts:
Quick Facts:
Of the 4.7 million veterans that live in rural areas, including over 100,000 that live in highly rural areas, about 60% rely on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for health care, compared to 37% of veterans who live in urban areas.
Only one quarter of all veterans are within 40 miles of a VHA facility with full specialty care. This is especially pronounced in rural areas, where some veterans travel an average of 74 miles each way for appointments.
A 2017 study estimated that about 1.8 million appointments at VHA facilities were cancelled annually due to transportation issues, costing over $4 billion.
Congress can take action
Congress can take action
Robust transit networks enable timely care, improving health outcomes and reducing system waste. Congress must invest in the full spectrum of transit to support all of the trips that veterans take.
Support Proven Programs
Support Proven Programs
Existing programs like the Veterans Transportation Service Program and Highly Rural Transportation Grant Program serve veterans well and deserve continued support through bipartisan bills such as the Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021 and Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act.
Improve Efficiency with Pooled Funding
Improve Efficiency with Pooled Funding
Multiple federal agencies fund veterans’ transportation, including the VA, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. These funding pools each have different rules and serve different clientele, leaving local agencies struggling to deliver efficient service without running afoul of federal requirements. Congress should create a pilot program at FTA to help states coordinate transit services by pooling funding from these and other agencies.
Bolster Paratransit
Bolster Paratransit
From 2018 to 2023, the number of volunteers participating in and rides provided by the VA’s Volunteer Transportation Network dropped by half.12 By improving paratransit service, we can ensure that all people with disabilities, including veterans, have reliable access to transit.
Invest in Fixed-Route Service
Invest in Fixed-Route Service
Buses and trains running frequently and consistently help veterans and their families get around, no matter their ability or the purpose of their trip. By providing federal funding to transit agencies to operate their vehicles, Congress can ensure transit meets these needs of veterans and their families.
Catalyze Innovation
Catalyze Innovation
Small and rural transit agencies are eager to innovate, but often lack the necessary resources. Congress should create a competitive small and rural mobility innovation fund to facilitate projects that increase reliability, efficiency, and access to mobility choices while reducing costs.
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