Donnelly, Transpo Announce Route to New VA Health Care Center for South Bend and Mishawaka-Area Veterans Will Begin Next Week
Press Release
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly and Transpo announced today that, following the Senator's request, Transpo and the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System (VANIHCS) will add a new stop to the bus route starting next week from South Bend and Mishawaka to the new St. Joseph County VA Health Care Center. The route will be active September 13th in advance of the Center's September 18th opening to provide veterans and employees in the Transpo service area with public transit access to the facility. Transpo will operate the route with hourly service Monday through Friday. In January, Donnelly announced that VA and Transpo reached an agreement to operate a new route for veterans and employees to use to get to the new facility. The bus stop will be located alongside Trinity Place near the main entrance of the health center. The VA will be installing the Transpo bus stop signage this weekend.
Donnelly sent a letter to Transpo and the VA of Northern Indiana Health Care System in 2016 asking that they work together to ensure that South Bend and Mishawaka-area veterans are able to access reliable public transportation to the new facility when it opens. The Center is expected to create 150 permanent jobs.
Donnelly said, "I've been working for years to make the St. Joseph County Health Care Center a reality to ensure all Hoosier veterans in north central Indiana can access the care they deserve. Many veterans and VA employees rely on public transportation, which is why I worked with the Transpo and VA to have this route operating before the VA center opens its doors later this month."
David Cangany, Transpo General Manager & CEO, said, "At Transpo, we have a strong relationship with the VA and providing service to the new VA Clinic via the 15A route demonstrates our commitment to providing connections to healthcare and employment while continuing to support those who have served our country."
Matthew Kelly, Health Systems Specialist Associate Director for VANIHCS, said, "The Northern Indiana Health Care System is pleased to announce city public transportation access to the St. Joseph County VA Clinic. The bus route 15A, will include the St. Joseph County VA Clinic beginning September 13, 2017 and will have hourly pick-up and drop off for the St. Joseph County VA Clinic. This will help service the critical needs of the Veterans in the South Bend and Mishawaka community. We are grateful for assistance that was provided by Senator Donnelly's Office, Congresswoman Walorski's Office, the Mayor of Mishawaka, and the Mayor of South Bend in making the bus route a success."
Donnelly has worked for a decade to open the St. Joseph County Health Care Center:
In 2007, while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Donnelly first asked the VA to evaluate the services provided to South Bend area veterans and provide data to better understand how often, how far, and for what services local Hoosier veterans must travel to receive health care.
Donnelly held roundtables and meetings with veterans, advocates, and community leaders to discuss expanding veterans' services in St. Joseph County.
In 2009, Donnelly and then-VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced approval of the St. Joseph County Health Care Center.
Donnelly worked with his colleagues, Republican and Democratic, to secure congressional authorization and funding for the center, and then worked with the VA to open an interim health care center in South Bend in 2012.
Donnelly participated in the groundbreaking for the Health Care Center in 2015.
Donnelly wrote a letter to Transpo and the VA of Northern Indiana Health Care System calling on them to ensure South Bend and Mishawaka-area veterans have access to reliable public transportation to the new health care clinic.
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