Savannah, GA – Veterans are now able to start using Chatham Area Transit services at half the cost, following the CAT board’s recent adoption of a six-month pilot program that provides a 50-percent discount to former members of the military. This new initiative began on Nov. 11 in conjunction with Veterans Day.
The discount can be applied to most of CAT’s fixed-route fare options, including $1.50 one-way trips, $3 day passes and $50 monthly passes.
“Unfortunately, many veterans face challenges, whether health related or economical, after serving our country,” CAT Board Chairman Michael O’Halloran said. “This program is one way we can show our appreciation to those individuals for their service.”
According to the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, there were about 28,000 veterans in Chatham County in 2017. Statewide, the number was almost 700,000.
The six-month pilot program will allow CAT staff to track participation rates and determine whether to recommend the program’s continuation at the end of the trial period.
CAT currently offers similar half-fare programs to young people ages 6-18, people with disabilities, Medicare recipients, and seniors ages 65 and older.
To get the discount, veterans should present bus operators with either their veteran ID card, discharge documents or driver’s license with a veteran designation. Proof of membership in a veterans’ organization such as the VFW, American Legion and AMVETS also will be accepted.
Half-fare ID cards also can be obtained by presenting proof of service at the ticket window at the downtown Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center, 610 W. Oglethorpe Avenue. These IDs can then be used in place of military service documentation.
Veterans who need proof of their service can learn how to get a copy of their DD 214 form (Report of Separation) from the National Archives by going to the following web address:
Military Records – How to Replace Lost Military Records or Perform Historical Research
CAT operates more than 60 fully-accessible buses on 20 routes throughout a special service district that includes Savannah, unincorporated Chatham County, and a portion of Garden City.
Go to catchacat.org or call customer service at (912) 233-5767 for more information about CAT services and programs.