VetRide is a no-cost, door-to-door transportation service, funded through a Texas Veterans Commission grant as well as donations from organizations, churches and individuals.
Since 2010, VetRide has provided rides for veterans, their spouse and/ or widows who reside in Burnet, Llano and Lampasas counties. They travel to VA locations, distant physicians/ hospitals in Austin, Round Rock, Fredericksburg, Copperas Cove as well as local clinics.
VetRide has eight vans, three of which are wheelchair accessible. The doorto- door service involves drivers staying on location at the veteran’s clinic destination and offers wheelchair accessibility that have been most helpful to the riders.
VetRide is looking for a few good riders to reach their ridership goal. In a normal year, VetRide gives rides to 175-200 different people which works out to be about 1,000 to 1,200 trips annually. Part of the TVC grant application process is declaration of expected rider count. VetRide is looking for additional riders to reach the count needed by the end of June.
Some veterans and families use VetRide often and some use VetRide when they have a procedure or surgery.
Besides transportation, VetRide provides additional care-giving assistance to local veterans. This assistance includes drivers being the waiting caregiver in the procedure waiting room so the VA/ local hospitals can proceed with scheduled day surgery. Additionally, the hospitals know to call upon VetRide to assist in return home transportation for patients, veterans and veteran’s spouses/widows who might otherwise have to pay someone to take them home.
It has been such a blessing getting to know veterans and their families as they become part of the VetRide family. Veterans have sacrificed so much for everyone and have done so much for the country that providing transportation at no cost is just a small way of giving back and letting veterans know the community cares.
If you know of a veteran that needs transportation services, please let them know about VetRide – local call is 830-613-9982 or toll free, 877-851-8838.
About VetRide
This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.tvc. texas.gov.
