DALLAS — As Texas voters head to the polls for Super Tuesday, transit agencies want to make sure transportation is available for free.
In fact, several public transit agencies are offering free rides to the polls.
Across North Texas, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) and Trinity Metro have all confirmed to WFAA that they will have free rides to the polls on Election Day.
Trinity Metro won't get reimbursed by Tarrant County for the rides, as the agency has in the past; but they'll still provide free rides to the polls.
DART's free rides cover the agency's entire service area.
Voters can ride at no charge on all DART buses, trains, GoLink, the Dallas Streetcar, Paratransit Services, and the TRE between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.
“For decades, the DART Board of Directors has shown a commitment to the communities we serve by allowing free fares on state, national or primary election days throughout the service area to get voters to the polls,” said Jeamy Molina, DART chief communications officer. “We hope voters take advantage of this opportunity and use DART to get out and vote.”
To ride free on election day, riders must show a valid voter registration card.
GoLink riders can use promo code VOTE35 at checkout for a complimentary Adult Local Day Pass in the DART GoPass app.
The DCTA services include the connect bus, A-train commuter rail and Go-zone's on-demand ride-share service in Denton or Lewisville & Highland Village.
In an email to WFAA, the agency says voters can ride March 5 for a FREE ride while you vote.
The promotion will be valid on the following DCTA services only:
• A-train Commuter Rail
• Connect Bus
• University of North Texas (UNT) Campus Shuttle
• GoZone
For Trinity Metro rides, voters should notify their driver or train conductor that they are going to or from a voting location to secure a free ride March 5 on Trinity Metro buses, ZIPZONE on-demand rideshare, ACCESS paratransit, TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express trains.
The Trinity Metro rides will come without the county reimbursing the agency this year.
Since 2019, Tarrant County has paid Trinity Metro to transport voters to their polling places on Election Day. The county agreed to cover some of the transportation entity's costs for the service, up to $10,000 each year.
But last month, county commissioners voted along party lines to end its election day partnership with Trinity Metro.
"I don't believe it's the county's responsibility to try to get more people out to the polls," Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare said prior to the vote. "It's the responsibility of candidates, it's the responsibility of political parties, it's the responsibility of political groups. Taxpayer funds should not be used to get people to the polls."