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State Representative Jerry Newton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5369
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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DISABLED MINNESOTA VETERANS RIDE FREE
ST. PAUL, MN – When retired Army Sergeant Major Jerry Newton was elected to the Minnesota Legislature, he brought some new ideas to the State Capitol on how to improve the lives of disabled veterans. State Rep. Newton (DFL – Coon Rapids) put several of those ideas into law last session, including one allowing disabled veterans to ride free on Metro Transit buses and commuter trains (HF1356).
“This program just makes sense," said Newton. “Many disabled veterans have no way to get to and from the VA Hospital other than the Disabled American Veterans transportation service – a service that provides transportation for thousands of veterans in Minnesota every year.”
“Giving disabled vets free fare on buses and trains will relieve strain on the DAV and will give veterans more convenient transportation options statewide. But most importantly, it will improve the quality of life for those who sacrificed so much on our behalf. It’s the least we can do to show our disabled veterans how grateful we are for their service.”
The state has been working closely with the Metropolitan Council to get the program up and running. As of this summer, Newton’s law was successfully implemented statewide – giving disabled veterans easier access to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center near the airport, and other VA facilities throughout the state.
Rep. Newton is pleased to see his legislation being translated into effective results for Minnesota veterans. During the first six months of the program, free bus rides were provided for more than 26,000 disabled veterans in the St. Cloud area alone.
“This is why I ran for the legislature – to make a difference in the lives of real people,” Newton said. “The state legislature is capable of creating good policies that improve peoples’ lives. As long as I have the honor of representing my community in St. Paul, I’ll continue doing everything I can to enact common sense policies like this one that improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans.”
To ride free, Minnesota’s more than 50,000 disabled veterans simply need to show their Veterans Identification Card to bus operators of any fixed-route service in the state, including Metro Transit and suburban transit providers in the Twin Cities as well as regular-route services in Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester, Moorhead, East Grand Forks and Mankato. The free ride benefit also extends to a personal care attendant who may be assisting a disabled veteran as they travel.
Veterans Identification Cards are issued by VA Medical Centers. To ride free the VIC card must have the words “Service Connected” or the initials “SC” below the photo. The cards are available at the VA medical centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud. For information call (612) 467-1991 or visit www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/application/IDCard.asp for more information.
News Items
- LOCAL LAWMAKERS HELP DELIVER NEEDED RELIEF TO FLOOD, TORNADO VICTIMS - (Posted: 2010-10-19 00:00:00)
- REP. NEWTON STANDS UP FOR SCHOOLS - (Posted: 2010-05-12 00:00:00)
- A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL KIDS TO PLAY - (Posted: 2010-04-21 00:00:00)
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