Congresswoman Laura Richardson Announces a $2 Million Grant to L.A. Metro to Automate Veterans Access to Transportation

Press Release

Congresswoman Laura Richardson announced today that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has been awarded $2 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to fund its Veterans Transportation and Community Initiative. The funds will be used to make it easier for veterans to access transportation services, especially transportation to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Long Beach.

"As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Veterans Caucus, I have strongly supported increased funding to the Veterans Transportation and Community Initiative, and I am very pleased that Metro has been selected to receive this substantial grant," said Congresswoman Laura Richardson. "The funding provided will be used to offer easier access to transportation for the many men and women who sacrificed for our country and now reside in our community," Congresswoman Richardson stated.

Metro will use the grant to upgrade the technology of the existing Southern California 511 System to improve the automation and information access for the area's transportation services, principally paratransit. The new technology will provide mobility management functionality through a one call/one click system available from a cell phone or through the internet. The project will directly benefit the large veteran community of the 37th congressional district, allowing them to schedule their own transportation, and providing improved access to the Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital.

"The improved technology will give these veterans more control over their own schedules. I thank the FTA for awarding these funds to Metro," said Congresswoman Richardson.

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