As the old saying goes, ‘there is no such thing as a free lunch.’ But, in Pueblo, beginning today, January 1st, those who can show proof they are veterans, can ride the city’s buses for free.
Ben Valdez, Director of Pueblo Transit, the agency that oversees the city’s bus system, said the idea of providing bus passes to Pueblo veterans was sparked about six months ago. Greenlighting it, he said, was an easy decision especially since the city has long called itself, the “Home of Heroes.’ He also said it was an idea whose time had come.
“I think one of the biggest roadblocks that veterans have when they get out of the military is transportation,” Valdez said. “If we can remove one of those roadblocks to (help) get to appointments, to go to jobs, for their care or go to the grocery store,” that’s one less obstacle.
In order for a veteran to qualify for a pass for this new program, Valdez says they can visit the Pueblo Transit center at 123 Court Street or its administrative offices at 350 Alan Hamel Road and complete an application. Transit center office hours are 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays 8:00 to 5:30 on Saturdays. Applications can also be completed online at pueblo.cu/1353/Purchase-Transit-Passes.
Valdez said that those interested in getting their ‘vets ride’ need only show proof of their service. A military discharge form—DD214—a driver’s license showing status as a veteran, a VA ID card or a retired military identification card will suffice.
Valdez said it is unknown how many veterans will take advantage of the new program. But, according to the most recent U.S. Census, there are plenty of veterans in Pueblo proper and county-wide. There are an estimated 7,600 veterans residing in the city and a total of more than 12,000 across the county.
Valdez said the initiative has been endorsed by the city’s various veterans’ organizations and Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham has given it her full support.
“This is an exciting initiative that Ben Valdez has worked on for quite some time, to give back to the veterans in our community in a small way to say thank you,” said Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham. “Pueblo is known as the Home of the Heroes and we believe that honoring our veterans’ sacrifices is important, especially when barriers to reliable transportation can be an issue when our military members return home.”
While the program begins on the first day of the year, Valdez says there is no set end date for it. Also, costs for the free ride program remain unknown. “We’ll figure out the costs,” he said, “when we figure out the number of riders.” An adult fare for a bus ride, Valdez said, is $1.25. All costs for the program will be the responsibility of Pueblo Transit. There will be no financial obligation to the city.
Valdez joined the Air Force shortly after high school and retired after 29 years of service. He laughs and says while he had no plans as a young man to join the military, a decision by his father played a significant role in his deciding to sign up. “He sold my bed,” Valdez recalled, a chuckle in his voice. His father then took him to a recruiter’s office. But what sealed the deal was a “paycheck of $640 a month!” Looking back, Valdez says it was not just a good choice, but the right one, too.
After retiring Valdez and his wife returned to their hometown. The pair have three children serving now in the military and five others living in Pueblo and other parts of the country. None of his children now in the military followed Valdez into the Air Force.
