WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration has awarded $274,000 to the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA) to improve access to transportation options for veterans in Portage and Geauga Counties.

“The Portage area is home to thousands of veterans and military families. Whether they need to access services at the local VA or just to get to work, our veterans—like all Ohioans—deserve access to reliable transportation,” Brown said. “These funds will help improve the coordination of rides and public transit options for military families in Portage and Geauga counties.”

The grant was awarded through the DOT’s Fiscal Year 2012 Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative that will help veterans, active service members, and military families learn about locally-available transportation services.

PARTA will use these funds to create a one-call/one-click center called NEORide that will give area veterans and other residents in northeastern Ohio an all-in-one trip planning tool. NEORide incorporates multiple transportation service providers in Portage and Geauga counties, which are home to more than 20,000 veterans and active duty military personnel.

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