BEAUMONT, Texas — A new initiative in Beaumont is giving veterans a way to regain some independence in the form of free bus rides.
This week, city leaders voted to give veterans free public transportation on 'The Beaumont Zip.'
The idea can be traced back to September's Veterans 4 Veterans Stand Down event.
The city offered vets free rides to and from the Civic Center for that day.
Veterans 4 Veterans President Damian Bennett says this move will help Veterans get themselves to doctor's appointments and even make trips to the grocery store, ultimately regaining a sense of independence.
Bennett says he's grateful that more than 1000 veterans living in Beaumont can now ride 'The Beaumont Zip' for free.
He says most veterans don't have cars and have to ask for rides from family and friends.
And this will especially help homeless veterans who may not have the $2.50 it costs per ride.
"There's a lot of veterans that may receive care in the community and getting them to and from is difficult. That's when this transit system and zip pass is going to be incredible," he said.
As of Tuesday, veterans in Beaumont are now able to zip their way across the city.
"Not only medical appointments but to the grocery store to go pay bills," he said.
It's all thanks to a new collaboration.
Whether you're a disabled vet riding 'The Beaumont's Zip's' small vans or a regular bus, getting your pass is quite easy.
Veterans can apply for their pass through the website or they can go to the Jefferson county courthouse or the Beaumont transit management and pick an application.
But no matter what they still have to take that application to the VA's office inside the courthouse and get verification that they are actually veterans.
"just go up to the courthouse or go on the website and sign up," Bennett said.
He says it's a step in the right direction when it comes to getting more transportation for vets.
An idea he hopes Veterans Affairs will hop on board with too.
"We need accessible transportation options for our local veterans to attend appointments in Houston. they way it's setup right now the shuttle is not handicap accessible. They depend on volunteers drives, which were mostly retired veterans. Sadly, Covid has scared most of them away," he said.
Veterans 4 Veterans will also be working with the city to update bus stops by fixing side walks and installing handicap rails and new awnings.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.