For 25 years, Laketran has operated a special Veterans Medical Transportation service, in partnership with Lake County Veterans Service Commission and Lake County Board of Commissioners.

The program guarantees Lake County veterans have access to VA appointments, healthcare and adult daycare centers by providing free door-to-door transportation to veterans and their spouses. Veterans can travel to any medical facility in Lake County and to Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals in University Circle.

The transportation program has grown to provide over 10,000 medical trips annually.

“We have a deep respect and appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made,” said Ben Capelle, Laketran CEO. “Laketran is proud to partner with Lake County Veterans Service Commission and the Lake County Commissioners for the last 25 years to ensure our veterans have accessible transportation to get the care they need.”

Perry resident Mark Sweeney, served in the US Army in the early 1980s.  Since moving to Lake County, Sweeney has relied on the Veterans Medical Transportation to get him to his medical appointments.

“This is a great service. I don’t have a car and people are not always reliable to get me to my medical appointments,” shared Sweeney. “This program helps me get the care I need and helps me financially.”

Veterans must register with the Veterans Service Commission to be eligible for the free transportation.

“This longstanding partnership works very well for our veterans,” commented Lake County’s Executive Director/Senior Veterans Service Officer in Charge, Jonathan Warmeling. “We have many veterans who rely on receiving care from the VA hospital downtown, the VA Outpatient Clinic in Willoughby, and other medical appointments throughout Lake County.  This not only benefits our veterans, but it provides relief to them and their families knowing they can get excellent transportation to the care they need when they need it.”

In addition to its medical transportation, Laketran will be offering free rides to veterans on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. Laketran customers who are veterans simply need to inform their bus driver that they are a veteran when they board the bus, and their trip will be free. Dial-a-Ride customers can inform Laketran of their veteran status when scheduling their reservation.

Visit Lake County Veterans Service Commission for more information about services for veterans or call 440-350-2904.