By james art Several North Carolina cities are waiving bus fares on Election Day to encourage residents to vote.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, and polling stations will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The city of Durham will have free bus services for residents. Residents are encouraged to visit the GoDurham website to plan their bus route and the Durham County Board of Elections website for more information about voting.
“Free bus services all day on Election Day will definitely encourage voter turnout, as for many Durham residents public transport is a practical way to get to the polls. By removing the cost barrier, we hope more registered voters will vote on Nov. 5 and in all subsequent election years,” said Derek Bowens, director of the Durham County Board of Elections, in a news release.
Residents of Burlington, Gibsonville, Alamance, Elon and Mebane can use Link Transit for their free ride to the polls on Election Day. Visit the Alamance County Board of Elections website to see where the polls are. Voters can plan their trip through the Link Transit website.
There is also free bus transportation in Winston-Salem on Election Day. Residents can board any Winston-Salem Transit Authority bus to get to the polls. Visit the route authority webpage to plan your journey. Forsyth County’s web page has more information about polling stations.
Greensboro residents also have the option to ride to the polls for free using Greensboro Transit Agency buses as part of the city’s Move To The Polls 2024 program. Residents can visit ridegta.com to find bus routes to the polls that are most suitable for them.
Charlotte residents can also use the Charlotte Area Transit system for free travel to their polling place. Passengers are encouraged to download the CATS-Pass app to plan their trip to the polls and track their bus in real time. Residents can find their polling locations on the North Carolina State Board of Elections webpage.