Grant enhances transportation services for veterans

    SCHUYLER COUNTY—Schuyler County was recently awarded a Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative grant through the Federal Transportation Administration in the amount of $93,750. Schuyler is the only recipient of the award in New York State.
    Request for the grant was an initiative of Schuyler County, the Veterans Service Agency in Watkins Glen, and The Arc of Schuyler as the operator of the county’s public transportation system Schuyler County Transit.
    Schuyler received the award to implement a one-call/one click system to accommodate veterans’ transportation needs. The first step will be to purchase computer hardware and software that will be used to aid the Mobility Manager of Schuyler County and Schuyler County Transit with providing transportation information and scheduling transportation services for multiple agencies throughout the county.
    The software is compatible with systems being used in Chemung and Steuben Counties and will allow for better cross county transportation in the future. The reservation process will be integrated with scheduling, routing, and billing and reporting.
    Veterans in Schuyler County face the unique challenge of having to travel long distances for medical appointments. Many are currently relying on volunteers through the Veterans Services office and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for transportation.
    “Although these enhanced services will be designed to help improve transportation services for veterans and their families, it will ultimately benefit everybody using transportation resources in the county,” Schuyler County Mobility Manager Amber Simmons said.