List of free, discounted rides offered in Metro Detroit on Election Day

With early voting open and Election Day less than a week away, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is sharing resources to ensure voters have a way to get to the polls to cast their ballots.

Benson released a list, produced by MichiganVoting.org, of nonpartisan organizations and companies offering free or discounted rides to early voting locations and on Election Day.

Free rides to polling places are possible thanks to the passage of HB 4568, which lifted the ban on hiring transportation for rides to polling locations.

“It is important that transportation does not hinder eligible Michigan citizens and their access to the ballot box,” Benson said. “I am pleased that lawmakers have worked to lift the ban on providing rides to voting locations and I am grateful for the organizations that have stepped up to provide transportation to citizens who need it to vote. These services will be essential for many, especially older citizens and voters with disabilities, to ensure that every eligible voter can have their voice heard in these elections.”

Here are the free and discounted transportation options for Michigan voters:

Free rides for residents of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park

The Detroit Bus Company is offering free rides to residents of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park on Election Day. To request a ride, people can go to the Detroit Bus Company website.

“Voting is one of the most essential actions we can do as citizens,” says DBC owner Andy Didorosi. “We have also done our duty as a local transportation organization if we can help even a handful of Detroiters of any faith make the trip on voting day who otherwise would not be able to do so. That’s a win in my book.”

The Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is also offering free rides to and from the polls on Election Day for residents of these three communities and for residents of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods. Voters can request a ride by calling 888-328-4283 or emailing [email protected].

Free rides for Metro Detroit residents

The Detroit Downriver APRI is offering rides to Metro Detroit residents through November 5. The rides are available to residents of the following communities:

• Allen Park

• Brownstown

• Detroit

• Ecorse

• Inkstar

• Lincoln Park

• Oak Park

• River Rouge

• River view

• Southfield

• South Gate

• Taylor

• Trenton

To request a ride, voters must fill out the form online form on the Detroit Downriver APRI website.

Free SMART bus rides

SMART, which serves Southeast Michigan, is offering free bus rides all day on November 5.

“We are proud to support our community’s right to vote by offering free fares all day on November 5,” said Dwight Ferrell, General Manager at SMART. “This initiative aligns with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s efforts to increase voter access and participation across Michigan. At SMART, we believe in facilitating citizen engagement and ensuring that transportation is never a barrier to casting a vote.”

Free bus rides from the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA).

The Capital Area Transportation Authority, which serves the Lansing area, is offering system-wide free rides now through Nov. 5. The free rides are intended for people participating in voting-related activities, such as registering to vote or taking a ballot to the polls. box.

To get the free ride, one simply needs to inform the bus driver of their intended voting activity.

“The Capital Area Transportation Authority has been offering free rides on Election Day since 1988, and we have worked hard over the years to build on that legacy,” said Nathan Triplett, CATA board chairman. “After voters passed Proposition 2 in 2022, which established their constitutional right to vote early in every state and federal election, the value of public transportation to promote greater voter participation and increase equity and access to improve the ballot box for all eligible voters has become more important than ever before. Our core competency – providing safe and reliable transportation to the public – is especially important for those who do not have or cannot afford transportation. Transport should never be an obstacle to participation in democracy.”

Discounts on Lyft and Uber rides

Lyft is offers 50% discount on rides for voters on election day.

A voter can also get a 50% discount on one ride or from a voting location on November 5 by using the discount code: VOTE24.

Uber also offers a 50% discount drives to polling stations on election day. The voter will receive this offer when they use the ‘Go Vote’ tile to book a ride.

For a complete list of discounted and free rides to polling places and early voting sites, visit MichiganVoting.org website.