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Beaumont City Council, during its session on Tuesday, Nov. 7, passed an ordinance endorsing the implementation of the Qualified Zip Veterans Pass Program. The initiative received unanimous support after a public hearing, during which Mrs. Delores Clark, a local veteran volunteer coordinator, expressed her support for the program. She emphasized that local veterans would benefit from improved access to resources if the program were to be approved.
The ordinance permits qualified veterans to access free fixed route and paratransit services. Veterans are eligible if they have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more, a 40% or more disability due to the amputation of a lower extremity, or if they have received a Medal of Valor (Air Force Cross, Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Purple Heart). To verify these qualifications, Zip has established a partnership with the Veterans Administration Office, ensuring that all program applications will be processed within 48 hours of receipt.
In addition, the program may allow companions to accompany eligible veterans at a discounted rate, subject to available space. Councilman Charles Durio raised a question about the program’s limitation to disabled veterans, advocating for its extension to all veterans, which will be evaluated at a later date.
“Like myself, our veterans signed a blank check to the citizens of the United States when they enlisted, not knowing what they would be getting into, and our veterans are all equally deserving of this,” said Durio.
Transit Manager Claudia San Miguel supported passing the ordinance for qualified veterans as initially presented, advocating for research to ensure compliance in case the council decides to extend the benefit to all veterans.
“This is a no-brainer,” stated a concerned citizen. “We can build monuments to them, but this is a way to show our veterans we appreciate them.”