Laketran Honors Veterans With Free Rides On Veterans Day/Week

Laketran, the regional public transit system in Lake County, OH, offered free rides to veterans during the week of November 7-12, in honor of Veterans Day. That included Lake Tran’s local routes as well as Park-n-Ride and Dial-a-Ride programs.

“Each year, Laketran provides nearly 5,000 Dial-a-Ride trips for Lake County veterans to access healthcare appointments,” Laketran CEO Ben Capelle said. “We wanted to show our support and appreciation during the Veterans Day week, by offering free rides to veterans on all of our services. It was the least we could do for the sacrifice that veterans have given to our country.”

For over 25 years, Laketran has operated a special Veterans Medical Transportation service, in partnership with Lake County Veterans Service Commission and Lake County Commissioners. The Veterans Medical Transportation provides free door-to-door, Dial-a-Ride transportation for Lake County veterans, and their spouses, to the county’s VA outpatient clinic, administration office, and the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in University Circle.

Laketran expanded the program, subsidizing free Dial-a-Ride transportation to any adult day care or medical appointment for Lake County veterans, either in Lake County or to University Circle hospitals.

Ralph Carter is a regular rider who uses Laketran’s Veterans Medical Transportation. The 20-year resident of Eastlake, OH, served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971. He has been riding Laketran for nearly 20 years, taking Dial-a-Ride trips to his medical appointments in Cleveland and Lake County. Like many veterans, to Carter the service is integral to his well-being.

“I wouldn’t be able to get to my medical appointments, especially downtown, without Laketran,” he says. “I don’t drive. I use Laketran to get to all my appointments.”

For more information on Laketran’s Veterans Medical Transportation program, call 1-888-LAKETRAN or visit https://laketran.com/dial-a-ride/veterans-medical-transportation/.

U.S. Army veteran Ralph Carter, assisted by Laketran driver Ashley Gmitra, boards Laketran for an appointment at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. Laketran is the regional public transit system in Lake County, OH