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BEAUMONT — Veterans living in the Golden Triangle are eligible for free, weekday transportation to and from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston for medical appointments.

“We are thrilled to offer Veterans this new service, making it easier for them to get to the main VA in Houston for specialized medical care,” said Medical Center Director Frank Vazquez, a Navy Veteran. “Having the ability to support those who have sacrificed so much is very personal to me, as someone who served in the military myself.”

VA’s new shuttle service, which began this week, departs the Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic, 3420 Plaza Circle in Beaumont, Monday through Friday at 7:30 a.m.

The shuttle departs the Houston VA at 2:30 p.m. for the return trip.

As a part of the shuttle service, Veterans with appointments at the Houston VA can reserve a ride on the 40-passenger, wheelchair-accessible shuttle by calling 409-981-8550.

Each Veteran traveling on the shuttle is also eligible to reserve a space for one caregiver or their spouse.

“Our goal is to provide as much health care as possible to our Veterans here in Beaumont, but when they need specialty care or additional services at our main medical center in Houston, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to get there and back,” said Shanthi Reddy, M.D., Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic medical director.

“It is our honor and privilege to care for Beaumont-area Veterans and this shuttle will play a key role in making the wide array of health care services at our Houston VA more accessible to them.”

Houston VA is one of the nation’s leading VA healthcare systems, employing more than 6,000 medical professionals and support staff dedicated to providing high-quality care to Veterans residing in Southeast Texas.

The organization operates a main medical center in downtown Houston as well as 11 community-based outpatient clinics in the surrounding suburbs.

Veterans can reserve their spot on the Beaumont to Houston VA shuttle by calling 409-981-8550.