MTD offers free rides for voters

Students+climb+aboard+an+MTD+bus+on+Feb.+23.

Ben Tschetter

Students climb aboard an MTD bus on Feb. 23.

By Olivia Welshans, Staff Writer

To encourage people to get out and vote, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District offers free bus rides throughout the district, as well as Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant van rides to and from the polling places on March 20.

Rides on buses are free from the start of service until 8 p.m., which falls during the time of the Illinois primary election.

“We think it would be a shame if people could not participate in democracy because they can’t get to a polling place,” said Lisa Meid, media manager for MTD. “We thought the best way to remedy that was to remove as many barriers as possible.”

Free rides have been a part of an initiative MTD has had for a few years to increase voter participation. MTD offered the same promotion during the 2016 general election.

Meid said in past elections, MTD has lost around $1,500 in fares. Fares on buses in the Champaign-Urbana district is $1, so MTD gives around 1,500 free rides on election day.

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However, MTD expected fewer people to take the bus on Tuesday because the primary election falls during spring break for the University, Meid said.

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