U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $29 million in grants to provide improved access to local transportation for veterans and their families, wounded warriors and other military personnel, helping them find affordable rides to work, school, shopping, medical care and other destinations in their communities. The grants will support 64 projects in 33 states and the Northern Mariana Islands.

“Ensuring that our veterans and military families have access to quality, convenient transportation is just one way we can thank them for their service,” said LaHood. “With these transportation grants, we will help connect veterans and military families with the jobs and training opportunities they deserve, as well as the medical care and other services they need, all located close to home.”

The Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative, funded and managed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), supports efforts by local governments and transit agencies to implement technologies — ranging from “smart phone” applications to real-time transit bus locator information — that make it easier for veterans and others to access and schedule rides on available buses, vans, taxis and other transportation systems.

The unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is more than 12%, more than four percentage points above the national average.

FTA received 81 eligible proposals requesting $41 million for this second round of the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative grants, reflecting strong demand for the program. In FY2011, FTA awarded $34.6 million for 55 veterans’ transportation projects around the country.

For more information on the individual grants, click here.