Oakland County expands Veterans Ride Free program

October 19, 2024

Jessica Mathews / [email protected]

Oakland County has expanded a freeride program for veterans thanks to grant funding.

SMART, or the Suburban Mobility Authority regional transportation and mass transit provider, announced the expansion of the “This Ride’s on Us” program, which provides free door-to-door public transportation to veterans and their caregivers. Originally scheduled to end at the end of September, the program will now run through September 2025. The extension was made possible by an additional $530,000 grant from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

The initiative, launched in June 2024, has already provided veterans with more than 2,750 rides to medical appointments, errands and visits to senior centers. The goal is to improve accessibility and quality of life for the county’s 53,000 veterans – more than half of whom are over 65 and many of whom have disabilities.

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said, “This has already helped so many of Oakland County’s veterans, and I’m pleased we can continue this important service.” Our goal is to remove all barriers to transportation for our veterans have sacrificed so much in service to all of us.”

The Veterans Ride Free program is designed to address the challenges many veterans face when it comes to getting around, especially during everyday tasks. Veterans have long had access to free rides to county offices for service-related appointments, but the expanded service now includes personal care tasks and social outings, greatly increasing their independence.

Dwight Ferrell, General Manager of SMART, said: “It is a privilege to serve those who have served us, and extending This Ride’s on Us program through September 2025 underscores that commitment. By removing barriers to transportation, we enable our veterans to access and participate in critical services.” This initiative is critical to improving the quality of life for our veterans throughout Southeast Michigan.

Frank Withers, a retired Army sergeant from Waterford, is one of the many veterans benefiting from the free transportation program. He regularly uses the service to visit the Waterford Senior Center, where he finds comfort and community. “I use it on all my trips,” Withers said. “It takes me to places like this and makes my problems go away for a while.”

For Withers and others, the program is about more than just getting from point A to point B — it’s about regaining independence and improving mental well-being. “I can come here and relax with my friends,” Withers said. “And that’s good for my mental health.”

Local transportation providers, including North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA), Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA), People’s Express and OPC Social & Activity Center, will continue to offer free rides in partnership with SMART.
“They have more options to get around,” said Garth Wootten, manager of Oakland County Veterans Services. “They can go out and socialize, they can go to a senior center and interact with other seniors, they can go grocery shopping or go to a doctor’s appointment. This is a program designed to improve the quality of life not only for the veteran, but also for his family.”

Veterans and their caregivers can schedule rides by calling 248-419-7984 and providing proof of service, such as: B. DD214 discharge papers or a veteran’s ID card.

For more information about the program, see the links provided.