Transit providers help improve voter turnout with free rides to the polls for 2024 Election Day

The U.S. joint general, special, charter and bond elections are upon us and voters throughout the country will be planning their trips over to their local poll station to cast their vote. Transportation challenges should not prevent a U.S. citizen from casting his or her ballot this Election Day. Many voters are experiencing connectivity issues on Election Day due to a lack of a personal vehicle or efficient mode of transportation. 

According to the research report "Driving Turnout: The Effect of Car Ownership on Electoral Participation," Justin de Benedictis-Kessner and Maxwell Palmer conclude that broadening "access to reliable and fast transportation that closes the travel time burden imposed on those people without access to cars" would increase voter turnout. 

Distance can also play into whether or not a registered voter decides to make a trip to a polling station. A recent study done by Lyft in 2022 showed that distance to polling locations affected a voter’s decision to show up to the polls to cast a vote. The study estimated that even a one-mile increase in distance to polling locations can reduce turnout by up to 20 percent. 

Transit providers are working to improve voter turnout on election days by exploring the needs of their communities with accessibility, fare prices and service options. 

Agencies within the transit industry have launched programs and initiatives to help address the need for better access to transportation within communities for early voters and on election day through free fare days, expanded access to services and reduced prices on rides.  

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) buses, trains, bikes and Metro Micro services will be fare-free this Election Day to promote better voter turnout. L.A. Metro’s Park-and-Ride lots will also be free.

The San Joaquin Regional Transit District (San Joaquin RTD) will be offering free rides to the polls on Election Day, Nov. 5, as a part of its Buses for Democracy initiative to boost voter participation. All riders on San Joaquin RTD’s express, local and Hopper routes within the Stockton Metropolitan Area (SMA) will have access to this program.

Making sure everyone can reach their polling place is a priority for us,” said San Joaquin RTD CEO Alex Clifford. "We want transportation to be a bridge to voting, not a barrier. By offering free rides, we’re helping every community member get to the polls.” 
 
Eligible paratransit passengers will also be able to arrange a free trip to the polls by calling Access San Joaquin. 

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (New Orleans RTA) has also been waiving fares on the two Saturdays of the early voting period (Oct. 19, Oct. 26) and will continue to do so on Election Day. Riders will not need to show proof of voter registration, or any New Orleans RTA passes to ride any of its buses, streetcars and ferries. New Orleans RTA’s riders can plan ahead through the Le Pass app to plan a trip to their polling precincts to ensure their ride to cast their vote. 

VIA Metropolitan Transit’s “Ride VIA to Vote” program, will offer fare-free service to polling locations on Election Day to riders who present a valid voter registration card to the bus or van operator on Election Day. 
 
“VIA Metropolitan Transit is proud to ensure that all citizens have equitable access to the ballot box,” said VIA President andCEO Jeffrey C. Arndt. “Getting to and from polling locations should not be an obstacle preventing a single voter from exercising his or her right to be heard in the democratic process.” 
 
This program will be offered on VIA’s regular bus service, VIA Link and VIAtrans paratransit service throughout the VIA service area. These services have been available to voters since the start of the Ride VIA to Vote initiative in March 2016. Customers can plan their trip to a polling place with the Transit app and by using the VIA goMobile+ app.

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) offered fare-free rides on Oct. 21 for the first day of early voting and will offer it again for Election Day. No proof of voter registration or identification is required on transportation through the CCRTA’s fixed-routes, B-Line Paratransit (ADA) Services, premium services (Park & Ride) and rural on-demand services (Paisano & REAL).

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) will be providing free fare fixed-route buses for voters on Election Day. 

“We realize how important it is for people to have access to the political process and The COMET wants to ensure that transportation is available to help those needing a ride to the polls,” said The COMET Executive Director andCEO Maurice Pearl. “Voting is an essential activity that provides everyone with an equal opportunity to let their voice be heard and just knowing what bus or route to take to the polls is the first step in that process.” 

Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) will be providing free rides to polling locations on Election Day. Voters can ride fare-free on all HART services by showing their valid voter information card.

“HART is committed to empowering our community and supporting civic engagement by providing free rides to the polls on Election Day,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “Voting is a fundamental right and we’re proud to help remove transportation as a barrier, ensuring that every voice in our community has the opportunity to be heard

Alternate mobility providers like Uber are also pitching in to get voters to the polls through a series of in-app Uber features and promotions to help voters find and get to their polling locations this Election Day. Uber app users will be prompted to request a ride to go vote and find their polling place. Users will receive a 50 percent discount for rides to their polling place (up to $10) when they use the new ‘Go Vote’ tile in the app to book a ride.