Shuttle to help Montco vets visit doctors

NORRISTOWN The Montgomery County Veterans Affairs Office is to begin a shuttle service July 20 for veterans seeking to go to VA health-care facilities. The free service is to transport veterans and caregivers from four county locations to three health-care centers operated by the VA.

"This is a significant step in our efforts to make sure that our veterans receive the care they need and deserve," Josh Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County commissioners, said in a statement.

The wheelchair-accessible shuttle is to operate four days a week and can carry eight ambulatory people and five wheelchairs.

The schedule:

Mondays from Generations of Indian Valley, 259 N. Second St., Souderton, to Horsham Community-based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

Tuesdays from Norristown Senior Adult Activities Center, 536 George St., to Coatesville VA Medical Center and Spring City CBOC.

Thursdays from Pottstown Area Senior Center, 288 Moser Rd., Pottstown, to Coatesville VA Medical Center and Spring City CBOC.

Fridays from Ambler SAAC, 45 Forest Ave., to Horsham CBOC.

The program is funded by a $12,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Veterans Affairs and $25,500 in county Human Services block grant funds.

The shuttles will leave each location at 10:30 a.m. The shuttle will leave the medical facilities no later than 3 p.m. Veterans must schedule their appointments between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Passengers will be returned to their home address after 3 as long as their home is in the general area of the pickup location.

Veterans seeking to use the service are being encouraged to call 610-278-3285 to reserve a seat on themselves and up to one adult caretaker. Veterans using the service must be enrolled in the VA health-care system. Any veteran wanting to enroll in the system may call the Montgomery County Veterans Affairs Office at 610-278-3285 for assistance. - Inquirer staff