Public Transit Agencies Support Voters with Free Rides 

Public transit agencies across the United States helped community members perform their civic duty by offering free rides to polling stations on Election Day, November 3.

In Denver, CO, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) offered zero fares systemwide on all bus and rail services, as well as paratransit and FlexRide services on National Vote Early Day, October 24, and Election Day, November 3.

“Providing zero-fare transit on election and early voting days makes it easier for people to reach polling places and ballot drop-off locations,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “The team and I take great pride in supporting voters as they take part in this important civic responsibility.”

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), LA, offered free rides on its buses, streetcars, and ferries on October 24 for early voting and November 3 for Election Day.

“Access to transportation should never stand in the way of participation in our democratic process,” said RTA Interim CEO Ronald Baptiste Jr. “By providing fare-free service during early voting and on Election Day, RTA is helping remove transportation as a barrier and making it easier for people across New Orleans to get to the polls.”

VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio, TX, offered fare-free service to polling locations for Election Day as part of its long-standing “Ride VIA to Vote” program. The complimentary service was available for regular bus service, VIA Link, and VIAtrans paratransit service throughout the VIA service area.

VIA has been providing free trips to the polls since launching the Ride VIA to Vote initiative in March 2016.

Cincinnati Metro, OH, made it easier for Hamilton County residents to cast their ballots by offering fare-free rides on Election Day, November 3. Free service was available across all Metro transportation options, including fixed-route buses, Access paratransit, and MetroNow! on-demand.

“Every voice matters, and transportation should never be a barrier to civic participation,” said Brandy Jones, Metro’s chief communications and marketing officer. “By offering free rides on Election Day, Metro is making it easier for residents to exercise their right to vote. It’s one more way we’re connecting our community to the opportunities and moments that matter most.”

The San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD), Stockton, CA, invited residents to “Ride With Us to the Polls” on November 3 with free rides for passengers traveling to vote as part of Buses for Democracy.

“Access to transportation should never be a barrier to participating in our democracy,” said Eric Williams, RTD CEO. “RTD is proud to support Buses for Democracy and provide free transportation to residents traveling to the polls on Election Day. As the regional transit provider, we have a responsibility to connect our communities not only to jobs, education, and essential services, but also to opportunities to make their voices heard.”

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) offered complimentary rides on METRORail, local bus routes, METROLift, METRO curb2curb, and Community Connector to and from polls on Election Day.

“Every voter deserves the opportunity to make their voice heard, and transportation should never stand in the way,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. “I want to thank Mayor Whitmire for his continued leadership and for continuing this partnership. METRO is proud to do its part by helping Houston-area residents get to the polls and exercise one of our most important civic rights.”

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), TX, provided free rides to polling locations within the DART Service Area on November 3.

“Every citizen has a basic right to vote. However, transportation to a polling location stops far too many people from casting their ballots,” said Trenise Winters, DART EVP and chief operations officer. “We are excited to have the opportunity to provide this free service on Election Day.”