Burlington County veterans who have made a medical appointment for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Philadelphia and are in need transportation now just have to call the busing provider, Sen-Han Transit, at 1 (877) 603–5111 between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to make a reservation for a ride.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 3, those veterans with appointments no longer need to contact the County Division of Military and Veterans Services to arrange transportation.
“That is the only change we are making to veterans transportation,’’ said Freeholder Deputy Director Joseph B. Donnelly. “This eliminates our veterans having to contact us as a ‘third party’ to get a ride to the VA Hospital. They now will deal with SenHan Transit directly.’’
Veterans Transportation is a fixed route to the Veterans Hospital and is available Tuesday through Friday each week. The pick up and drop off locations are:
• American Legion Post 294 in Pemberton
• Crossroads Plaza on Rt. 38 in Lumberton
• Kmart Shopping Center on Route 38 in Moorestown
• Shoppes at Cinnaminson on Route 130 in Cinnaminson
Reservations are required and can be made in advance any day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and as soon as veterans have their appointment but must be made no later than 11 a.m. the day before their appointment. Transportation is provided only for veterans with medical appointments.
Doctors’ appointments at the VA Hospital should be made for between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The bus leaves the VA hospital at 2:30 p.m. for the return trip.
The Veterans Transportation Service was instituted by the Freeholders in 2000 as a fixed bus route service to Philadelphia one day a week because of the lack of parking around the VA Hospital and rising bridge tolls. The service has expanded to four days a week and last year provided 2,321 trips for county veterans to and from the VA Hospital. So far this year, 2,176 trips for veterans have been provided.
SenHan, the transportation provider for Senior Citizens United Community Services, began operating all paratransit services for the County, including Veterans Transportation, on Jan. 1.
A $2 cost share is requested for each trip. Additional information is available on the SCUCS web site at www.scucs.org or by calling 1 (877) 603–5111.
