This Election Day VIA Metropolitan Transit will once again offer its long-standing “Ride VIA to Vote” program, which offers fare-free service to polling locations on Election Day.
The Joint General, Special, Charter and Bond Elections will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. VIA will provide fare-free transportation for passengers 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 Jeffrey C. Arndt, president/CEO of VIA. “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.”
The “Ride VIA to Vote” initiative provides complimentary public transportation on municipal, state, and federal election days. The goal is to encourage civic engagement and participation among VIA customers and to provide transportation for voters who may not otherwise be able to get to and from their polling location.
The complimentary service is available for regular bus service, VIA Link, and VIAtrans paratransit service throughout the VIA service area. Registered VIAtrans customers should schedule their trip in accordance with VIAtrans policies and procedures by phone or online. VIA Link trips are available within designated service zones. Customers can connect to the VIA system to travel outside the zone. Visit the VIA Link page to plan your trip.
VIA has been providing free trips to the polls since launching 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. A complete list of Election Day voting locations also can be found at elections.bexar.org.