City’s new veterans bus travels to West Haven three times daily

Tuesday, 03 November 2009 14:22

City veterans now can travel to the VA Medical Center in West Haven in a new bus, purchased through the state-sponsored 5310 grant program.

The bus can seat 21 passengers and hold two wheelchair-bound passengers.

A dedication ceremony took place last week with Mayor Bill Finch and other local dignitaries at the Bridgeport Health Department on East Main Street.

“This new bus will allow more veterans to make timely trips to the West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center, something that is especially important in these tight economic times,” Finch said.

Ridership has doubled since the beginning of the summer, according to Jill Bruno, city veterans affairs director. More than 50 veterans a day take advantage of the free trip to the VA hospital, Bruno said; and as flu season begins more veterans are expected to use the program.

In fiscal year 2008-09, the city Veterans Affairs Office provided 5,932 rides to the West Haven VA facility.

The free transportation program is open to Bridgeport veterans and their spouses. The bus makes three round trips each weekday, leaving from Bridgeport at 9:45 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.