Volunteer drivers needed for VA transportation

Maricopa veterans were not exactly lining up when the Veterans Health Administration offered to shuttle them to the VA clinic.

Gilbert, it turned out, was not the clinic of choice for local veterans.

The VA chose the new Gilbert clinic for its free shuttle service “presumably to take pressure off the Phoenix VA,” Maricopa Transportation Planner David Maestas said.

The city even set up its City of Maricopa Express Transit (COMET) system to help veterans rendezvous with the VA shuttle.

For all the arrangements to pick up veterans two days a week for visits to the clinic, veterans taking advantage of the service was minimal. Only one person on Mondays, in fact.

Maestas said most Maricopa veterans wanted the specialized care available at the Phoenix VA hospital instead.

That has developed into a major tweaking in the relationship between the city and the VA. Mobility Manager Marzette King in the VA’s Beneficiary Travel Department worked with the Maricopa Transportation Department to respond to veterans’ requests.

Now, to help get veterans to the Phoenix VA Health Care System, the VA will provide the van, fuel and maintenance. Maricopa must have the volunteer drivers available.