Qualified Disabled Veterans Pass Now Available
 "This has been an effort of so many different people," said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee as she helped launch the MVP program.
METRO is showing its gratitude to disabled veterans with the launch of the Qualified METRO Veterans Pass (MVP).
"We recognize the need for our veterans to have transportation," said METRO Chair Carrin Patman. "The METRO Veterans Pass is appropriately labeled MVP because our veterans are MVPs for everything they've done."
U.S. Army veteran Justin Marcum, Sr. receives his METRO Veterans Pass.
Several veterans who attended the launch picked up their passes at METRO's Ride Store. The MVP event attracted a crowd that filled the lobby of at the Downtown Transit Center. Houston City Council Member Robert Gallegos praised the initiative for the service it offers disabled veterans. Along with Chair Patman, METRO board members Jim Robinson, Troi Taylor and Sanjay Ramabhadran were also on hand to welcome and thank the dozens of disabled veterans who attended.
"We are thrilled to be able to offer this pass to some of the most deserving members of our community, those who have served our country and protected our freedom," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert.
The six-month pilot program provides FREE local bus, Park & Ride, and light-rail service to qualified disabled veterans. It is open to veterans meeting at least one of the following qualifications.
- Service-connected disability rating greater than 50%
- Service-connected disability rating greater than 40% due to amputation of a lower extremity
- Medal of Valor recipient- Air Force Cross, Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Purple Heart
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Applications are available at the VA Regional Office, 6900 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX 77030 or by visiting http://www.ridemetro.org.
Veterans must obtain a verification stamp from the VA Regional Office before submitting an original or color copy of the application to METRO by mail, online or in person. It should take 7 -10 days for veterans to receive their pass by mail. They can obtain it the same day, in-person at the METRO Ride Store 1900 Main St., Houston, TX 77002.
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At their March 2016 meeting, METRO's board of directors also committed to a pilot program allowing disabled veterans to ride METRO HOT lanes for free. Planning for the implementation of that program is underway although an opening date has not been set.
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