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Rideshare Program Nets Big Results

Members of VA Pittsburgh’s transportation team stand ready to assist Veterans who need rides to and from their medical appointments.
Members of VA Pittsburgh’s transportation team stand ready to assist Veterans who need rides to and from their medical appointments.
By David White, Public Affairs Specialist

A new ridesharing program for eligible Veterans in need of transportation to medical appointments is producing big results for VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

A new ridesharing program for eligible Veterans in need of transportation to medical appointments is producing big results for VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Surveys and data show VHA Uber Health Connect (VUHC) is reliable, cost effective and, most importantly, popular with Veterans.

VUHC provides eligible Veterans with free Uber rides to and from medical appointments. Donald Koenig, VA Pittsburgh’s director, said the rideshare program helps to ensure Veterans do not miss important appointments. It also cuts back on no shows and reduces wait times.

VA Pittsburgh launched the service in May to supplement its existing transportation program. To use the service, Veterans must be ambulatory, eligible for VA travel pay, and have a common carrier beneficiary travel consult from their provider.

Ishmael Kwakwa, mobility manager, said VUHC ridership grew from 174 trips in the program’s first month to a total of 7,316 as of November. Since its start, the program has accounted for 24 percent of the 30,183 trips provided through the facility’s transportation service.

Kwakwa said cost savings are significant: a one-way trip from University Drive to the airport with its current contracted provider is $114 versus VUHC’s $42 to $56 (based on time of day). 

A survey sent to 300 VUHC riders indicates Veterans are pleased with the service. Asked to rate their experiences in several areas on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 the highest, Veterans responded:

  • How would you rate Veterans Uber Health Connect meeting your transportation needs?  4.69 
  • How would you rate the customer service?  4.74 
  • How likely are you to recommend VUHC to a fellow Veteran?  4.83
  • With 1 being difficult and 5 being easy, how would you rate the process for requesting transportation via VAUHC?  4.66
  • How would you rate your overall experience using VUHC?  4.73

In addition, as more Veterans use VUHC, VA Pittsburgh has more of its own drivers available to provide transportation to Veterans who otherwise might not be eligible.

If you are a Veteran who might benefit from VUHC, ask your VA health care team or contact transportation at 412-822-1633 for more information.

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