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Transportation for Veterans

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) provides free van rides to and from VA Boston Healthcare System facilities to Veterans who don’t have other transportation options. Find out how to schedule a DAV van ride and learn more about other transportation options.

For more information on travel requirements and availability, call 857-364-5234.

About DAV services

DAV van resources work with county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans to and from Veteran health care facilities for scheduled medical appointments.

These vans transport Veterans throughout eastern Massachusetts. Each month, between 1,500 and 1,700 Veterans receive DAV transportation.

Arrange a ride

If you’d like to schedule a DAV van ride, contact the hospital service coordinator:

Brockton VA Medical Center
Terry R. Mate
Phone: 617-295-7001

Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center
Terry R. Mate
Building 1
Room D-126
Map of Jamaica Plain campus
Phone: 617-295-7001

West Roxbury VA Medical Center
Terry R. Mate
Phone: 617-295-7001

Please note that DAV vans can only provide rides to ambulatory passengers (passengers who are able to move around without the driver’s help). For information on accessible transportation options, review our other Veteran shuttle services.

Guidelines for using DAV vans

    DAV van passengers are expected to follow certain guidelines, established by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the DAV National Headquarters. These guidelines include the following:

    • All riders must be ambulatory (able to board and exit the van without the driver’s help).
    • The DAV van driver is only allowed to stop the van for rest stops, emergencies, and to pick up and drop off passengers. Passengers should not ask the driver to make side trips to take care of their personal business.
    • Passengers are not permitted to smoke, chew tobacco, drink alcohol, use foul language, or bring weapons, drugs, or any illegal substance on the van. Van drivers are not required to provide transportation to any Veteran who is intoxicated, abusive, or who poses a threat to the driver or other passengers.
    • Passengers should not do anything to distract the driver.
    • Passengers should wear seatbelts at all times. Any passenger who refuses to wear a seatbelt will be denied transportation.
    • If a Veteran needs another individual (for example, a caregiver) to ride in the van with them, they need to get authorization from their VA attending physician or VA-certified nurse practitioner.
    • Veterans being discharged or granted passes can ride on a DAV van during the van's trip back to its home county only if space is available. The Veteran must be ready to leave when the van leaves the VA medical center.
    • Veterans should be dressed and ready to leave for the hospital at the time specified. Drivers can’t wait for Veterans who aren’t ready to leave at the appointed time.
    • Veterans can only bring with them items that they can hold on their lap or store under the seat.
    • The DAV van is not an emergency vehicle. The driver may refuse to transport any Veteran who appears to be too ill to ride the van.
    • Veterans who use the DAV Transportation Network will not be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
      (M-1, Part 1, Chapter 25, July 8, 1991)

    Shuttle services for Veterans

    Call  857-364-5234 or 5235.

    Please note that arrival times may vary depending on weather and/or traffic.

    Bedford / Jamaica Plain
    Departure Location Departure Time Arrival Location Arrival Time
    Departure Location Bedford Departure Time 08:00 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 09:15
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 10:30 Arrival Location Bedford Arrival Time 11:15
    Departure Location Bedford Departure Time 12:15 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 13:15
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 14:00 Arrival Location Bedford Arrival Time 15:15
    Brockton / Jamaica Plain
    Departure Location Departure Time Arrival Location Arrival Time
    Departure Location Brockton Departure Time 07:00 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 07:45
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 09:00 Arrival Location Brockton Arrival Time 09:45
    Departure Location Brockton Departure Time 10:00 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 10:45
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 11:00 Arrival Location Brockton Arrival Time 11:45
    Departure Location Brockton Departure Time 12:30 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 13:14
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 13:30 Arrival Location Brockton Arrival Time 14:15
    Brockton / West Roxbury
    Departure Location Departure Time Arrival Location Arrival Time
    Departure Location Brockton Departure Time 07:00 Arrival Location West Roxbury Arrival Time 07:30
    Departure Location West Roxbury Departure Time 08:15 Arrival Location Brockton Arrival Time 08:45
    Departure Location Brockton Departure Time 09:30 Arrival Location West Roxbury Arrival Time 10:00
    Departure Location West Roxbury Departure Time 11:15 Arrival Location Brockton Arrival Time 11:45
    Departure Location Brockton Departure Time 12:15 Arrival Location West Roxbury Arrival Time 12:45
    Departure Location West Roxbury Departure Time 13:00 Arrival Location Brockton Arrival Time 13:30
    Departure Location West Roxbury Departure Time 18:00 (Last Run) Arrival Location Brockton Arrival Time 18:30
    Jamaica Plain / Causeway
    Departure Time Departure Location Arrival Time Arrival Location
    Departure Time Jamaica Plain Departure Location 07:30 Arrival Time Causeway Arrival Location 07:50
    Departure Time Causeway Departure Location 08:00 Arrival Time Jamaica Plain Arrival Location 08:20
    Departure Time Jamaica Plain Departure Location 09:30 Arrival Time Causeway Arrival Location 09:50
    Departure Time Causeway Departure Location 10:00 Arrival Time Jamaica Plain Arrival Location 10:20
    Departure Time Jamaica Plain Departure Location 11:30 Arrival Time Causeway Arrival Location 11:50
    Departure Time Causeway Departure Location 12:00 Arrival Time Jamaica Plain Arrival Location 13:20
    Departure Time Jamaica Plain Departure Location 12:30 Arrival Time Causeway Arrival Location 13:50
    Departure Time Causeway Departure Location 13:00 Arrival Time Jamaica Plain Arrival Location 14:20
    Departure Time Jamaica Plain Departure Location 13:30 Arrival Time Causeway Arrival Location 13:50
    Departure Time Causeway Departure Location 14:00 Arrival Time Jamaica Plain Arrival Location 14:20
    Departure Time Jamaica Plain Departure Location 14:30 Arrival Time Causeway Arrival Location 14:50
    Departure Time Causeway Departure Location 15:00 Arrival Time Jamaica Plain Arrival Location 15:20

    Jamaica Plain / West Roxbury

    Shuttles start at 07:00 a.m. and run every thirty (30) minutes with the last shuttle leaving at 17:00.

    Any Veteran needing to get to Brockton is advised to take the 15:00 or 15:30 shuttle.

    Lowell / Jamaica Plain
    Departure Location Departure Time Arrival Location Arrival Time
    Departure Location Lowell Departure Time 08:30 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 09:30
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 14:30 Arrival Location Lowell Arrival Time 15:30

    Please call the Lowell CBOC at 978-671-9000 to reserve your seat.

    White River Junction, Manchester, Jamaica Plain & West Roxbury
    Departure Location Departure Time Arrival Location Arrival Time
    Departure Location White River Junction Departure Time 06:00 Arrival Location Manchester Arrival Time 07:30
    Departure Location Manchester Departure Time 08:00 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 10:00
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 11:00 Arrival Location West Roxbury Arrival Time 11:30
    Departure Location RETURN TRIP Departure Time Arrival Location Arrival Time
    Departure Location West Roxbury Departure Time 14:00 Arrival Location Jamaica Plain Arrival Time 14:30
    Departure Location Jamaica Plain Departure Time 15:00 Arrival Location Manchester Arrival Time 16:30
    Departure Location Manchester Departure Time 16:30 Arrival Location White River Junction Arrival Time 17:45

    Worcester / Jamaica Plain

    By appointment only. Please book five days in advance by calling 413-584-4040 x2217.

    Local transportation options

    MBTA

    The MBTA offers reduced fares to seniors and Veterans who are at least 70% Service Connected disability.

    Other Veterans transportation service partners include:

    Last updated: