“The goal of the program is to eliminate any transportation barriers that may prevent our veterans from accessing the benefits they earned while serving our nation,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said.

In partnership with SMART, free transportation is offered from any point of origin in Oakland County to a Veterans’ Services’ office and back home. All veterans who make an appointment with the Veterans’ Services team will receive contact information for SMART to arrange their transportation.  ADA transportation is available and transportation arrangements should be made at least three days prior to the appointment.

“When the county reached out to us to help with transportation for this grant-funded project for veterans, we jumped at the chance to assist,” said Dwight Ferrell, general manager of SMART, “Through our various community transit partners in Oakland County, SMART is positioned to be able to coordinate a ride to ensure all veterans who need a ride can get one.”

Garth Wootten, manager of Oakland County Veterans’ Services, noted that access to transportation, especially ADA-equipped transportation, can be an obstacle many of veterans face.

“This program will help eliminate that barrier and allow all veterans to access their benefits,” Wootten said. “I’m so pleased to be partnering with SMART for this service for our veterans.”

Oakland County Veterans’ Services helps veterans and their dependents with disability compensation, pension, healthcare, burial benefits, education, life insurance, home loans and more. From applying for benefits to appealing a finding, the benefits counselors are available to help Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. To book an appointment or learn more, visit oakgov.com/veterans or call 248-858-0785 in Pontiac or 248-655-1250 in Troy.

The Veteran’s Transportation Program is made possible by a grant from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.