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Learn what the PACT Act means for your VA benefits

Veteran Transportation Options

Our VA New Mexico Health Care System network has five transportation options for Veterans needing a ride to and from their scheduled VA appointments.

Disabled American Veterans Transportation

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) provides free van rides to and from 14 of our VA health care facilities in New Mexico and southern Colorado. DAV covers Veterans who don’t have other transportation options who live outside the Albuquerque metro area. Each month, between 1,500 and 1,700 Veterans receive DAV transportation.

If you’d like to schedule a DAV van ride, contact our local DAV Transportation Coordinator.

Arrange a ride

DAV Transportation Coordinator
1501 San Pedro St., SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
Phone: 505-256-2821

All DAV drivers are 100 percent volunteers and rides are subject to availability. 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)
VTS Patient Code of Conduct Form (PDF)

Rural Veterans Transportation Program

Arrange a ride

Rural Veterans Transportation Program 
505-429-5906

The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services has launched the Rural Veterans Transportation Program service medical transportation needs for veterans to and from Catron, Cibola, Colfax, De Baca, Guadalupe, Harding, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Mora, Quay, San Miguel, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance and Union counties.  

Veterans must make a reservation for these free round-trip rides at least three days in advance of a medical appointment by calling DVS Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.

Southeast New Mexico Veterans Transportation Network

Arrange a ride

575-622-0729
2114 West 2nd Street
Roswell, NM 88203

If you live in the Southeast region of New Mexico Veteran organization in Roswell that offers transportation services for Veterans for medical appointments. Southeast NM Veterans Transportation Network hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (MST) Monday-Thursday.

 

Veteran Transportation Service

Veteran Transportation Service

Our Veteran Transportation Services provides wheelchair-accessible transport vans for Veteran patients. Contact VTS dispatcher for scheduling within 25 miles from our Albuquerque Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center and Rio Rancho Northwest Metro VA Clinic.

Door to door shuttle:

  • First come first serve basis.
  • Appointments between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  • Must call 3 business days in advance.

VTS Coordinator:
Daniel Shrodt
Email: daniel.schrodt@va.gov
Phone: 505-265-1711, ext. 5438, 7029

Alternate Contact:
Hugo Rodriquez
Email: Hugo.Rodriquez@va.gov
Phone: 505-265-1711, ext. 4506

Many medical centers and clinics are also served by other local transportation services. To find those, review the transportation services information for the facility you want to visit.

Sun Van Paratransit Service

Sun Van

The Albuquerque Sun Van offers no cost transportation who live within the Albuquerque city limits. Scheduling a ride are 1- 3 days in advance and Fridays are 5 days in advance. 

After you complete your application, Veterans are required to fill out an application and have their primary or speciality doctor sign off as well.

Start your application to arrange a ride

ABQ Ride: 505-243-7433
Sun Van Application

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