VETERANS TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS in Southwest Washington The Human Services Council is a non-profit corporation established in 1957. Throughout its existence, the agency has worked to coordinate the effective delivery of community services in Southwest Washington. Our mission is to improve people's lives by connecting them to opportunities, information and services that respond to their individual and family needs. Throughout Southwest Washington, we help people access the services available to meet their individual & family needs. The Human Services Council does not discriminate in the provision of services. The Human Services Council operates its programs without regard to race, color, and national origin. Times and rates are subject to change. Please check with each transportation provider for For more information please visit our website www.hsc-wa.org current information. Table of Contents The Human Services Council would like to sincerely thank all Local Coordinating Coalition Members and those individuals who General Information................................................ 1 assisted in this project: ADDUS E-Benefits & My HealtheVet.................................... 5 Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation Clark College Veterans Corps Ways to Work........................................................... 6 Clark County Regional Transportation Council Clark County Veterans Clark County............................................................. 7 Community Services Northwest Cowlitz & Clark County Veterans Stand Down Committees Includes: Vancouver– Portland VA Shuttle Schedule Cowlitz Indian Tribe Travel Directions for Vancouver VA from Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Council of Governments Vancouver Transit Centers C-TRAN Skamania County..................................................... 13 Department of Social & Health Services Medicaid Purchasing Administration Includes: Skamania Public Transit Bus Schedule & Map Klickitat County Senior Services/ Mt. Adams Transportation Lower Columbia Community Action Program Klickitat County........................................................ 18 Mid-Columbia Economic Development District Partners in Careers Includes: The Dalles– Hood River- Portland Bus Schedule Pierce Transit White Salmon/Bingen– Hood River Bus Schedule Portland Chapter of the National Association for Black Veterans Regional Transportation Council Cowlitz County......................................................... 22 River Cities Transit Includes: River Cities #32 & #56/57 Route Maps and Schedules Skamania County Senior Services Lower Columbia CAP Rural Route Schedules (Representatives of) Veterans Administration Volunteer Connections/Retired Senior Volunteer Program Wahkiakum County.................................................. 29 Wahkiakum on the Move Washington State Department of Transportation Includes: Wahkiakum on the Move Schedules Special thanks to Levi Roberts, Project Intern and Audrey Rogers, Appendix: HSC Administrative Coordinator for gathering and compiling the data and designing and producing the final booklet. How to Get Into Portland VA Medical Center Stuck in Town Waiting for the Bus? © 2010 Human Services Council Acknowledgements Stuck in town waiting for the bus? How to Use This Guide If you are headed back to Cowlitz or Wahkiakum County via 99th Street Transit Center, Lower Columbia CAP, and Wahkiakum on the Move: This guide is designed to be a reference which details the different transportation options available for veterans, x C-Tran Bus #32/71 (Page 10) active military members, and military families. x These buses travel from 99th Street Transit Center to Downtown Vancouver. x The buses service the Historic Uptown District, which To use this guide: have many historic buildings and fun shops and cafes. x C-Tran Route #32 also has stops within Fort Vancouver x Locate the county you live in via the titles of the National Historic Site, which has many different exhibits, different sections. The counties all have the same color events, and historical buildings on its grounds. assigned to all of their sections. The transportation options will be listed within your county of residence. x Many services in counties outside Clark County tie into If you are at the different systems within Clark County and Portland. the Portland Throughout the sections, the systems in Clark County VA Medical and Vancouver are referenced. To follow the Center: instructions for the reference, simply follow the page x Portland Aerial Tram number back to the “Clark County” section of this x Although TriMet Bus #8 runs directly to and from the booklet. Portland VAMC, there is also an aerial tram/cable car that services the medical complex on Marquam Hill. x If you need to get into the Portland VA, the instructions x This fun service provides good views of the city, and a are in the back of this booklet. The Portland VA quick easy way to connect to the Portland Streetcar instructions will also be referenced throughout the x Connect with the Aerial Tram by crossing the Skybridge booklet. from the Portland VAMC to OHSU x Portland Streetcar x The Portland Streetcar is a quick tram with two lines across the downtown area of Portland and the different sections of the city. x The Streetcar connects with the Aerial Tram, and is a fun and accessible way to see downtown Portland General Information – p1 Stuck in town waiting for the bus? x Trips to the VA Medical Centers take a long time and require The Southwest Washington Region covers a vast area setting aside almost an entire day simply to get to a medical including Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat and appointment or checkup. x Here are some things you can do and places you can go Skamania Counties. Veterans in this area often must while you are waiting for the return ride back. travel long distances across the region to access Veterans Administrati on (VA) offices and medical services. If you are headed back to Skamania County via Fisher’s Landing Currently, the only VA campuses for SW Washington Transit Center & Skamania Public Transit residents are located in Portland and Vancouver. x C-Tran Bus #80 The VA offers some services which help area veterans get x This bus goes to their medical appointments, including the Disabled directly from American Veterans (DAV) van network. Various other Fisher’s Landing transportation services are also available throughout the Transit Center to region. the Van Mall Transit Center This booklet has been developed to inform veterans in x From the Van SW Washington of their transportation options, Mall Transit specifically in traveling to VA medical services in Portland Center you can and Vancouver. Please see information about the options access the Vancouver Mall that are available in your county of residence in the and the many county-specific sections in this booklet. shopping and dining opportunities within the area This symbol indicates that a service is x C-Tran Bus #37 (Page 11) Wheelchair Accessible. x This bus goes from Fisher’s Landing Transit Center directly to downtown Vancouver. x Downtown Vancouver has many transfer points to other bus routes along with many unique shops, parks, venues and events happening around the area How To Get To Portland VA Campus – Part 4 General Information – p2 Driving Directions When Traveling Into Portland: Types of Transportation into Portland VAMC Traffic across the I-5 bridge can There are two basic types of transportation available from become very congested. various providers throughout the region: Portland VAMC: This can affect travel time in cars, and when crossing with the 1. Fixed Route Transportation 3710 SW US Veterans C-Tran Buses. x Open to the public Hospital Road x Follows a normal fixed route with scheduled stops Portland, OR 97239 along the way x Each fixed route 1. Take I-5 South to Exit transporter also *Image courtesy of C-TRAN 302B for I-405 South offers an ADA 2. Take exit t1C oward 6th para-transit Avenue option 3. Merge onto Broadway x Example: a 4. Turn right on 6th Ave, typical city bus which turns into Terwilliger Blvd 2. Demand-Response 5. Turn right on US Transportation Veterans Hospital Road x Scheduled in advance by the passenger x From one specific destination to another Total Travel Time: x Rides are often shared with multiple passengers with 30 Minutes (Varies similar destinations Depending on Traffic) x Many services have eligibility requirements such as age or disability x Examples: para-transit or dial-a-ride services Vancouver VAMC Free Shuttle: If veterans are able to travel to the Vancouver VAMC, there is a free shuttle that leaves throughout the day available as a free and direct way to get to the Portland VMAC. See Page 12 for details. *Image courtesy of Gorge Translink General Information – p3 How To Get To Portland VA Campus – Part 3 x Express Routes Into Portland Transportation Benefits for Veterans 1. Catch C-Tran Bus #105 (West Vancouver), #164 (Fisher’s Landing Transit Center) or #177 (Evergreen Park & Ride)* Mileage and Transportation Reimbursements 2. Transfer from one these buses to TriMet Bus #8 at the x The VA is authorized to provide eligible Veterans and other Portland Transit Mall (SW 6th & Market) beneficiaries with mileage reimbursement, or when 3. Take TriMet Bus #8 to the VA Medical Center Stop medically indicated will cover the costs of “special Total Travel IMPORTANT: mode” (ambulance, wheelchair van) for travel to and from Time: 1 Hour These routes are VA, or VA authorized health care. Express buses and x Total Roundtrip