Select public bus systems across Michigan are providing free rides to and from the polls for election day, with some offering rides during early voting.
Some places, such as Saginaw STARS, are offering free rides to polling places anytime, others are leaving the rides exclusively to voting.
Sophia Hagarth is with Benzie Bus, one of the systems giving free rides through Benzie County. They are offering rides to the polls for both early voting and election day on Tuesday. She told WCMU that connecting people to their community is a part of their mission statement, and that includes getting them out to vote.
"It's important that transportation not be a barrier to exercising one's right to vote," Hagarth said. "Voting is a human right."
Other participating systems include Isabella County's i-Ride and Grand Traverse's Bay Area Transportation Authority.
Calling and scheduling ahead is recommended, as the systems are guaranteed to be busy on election day. Securing your ride ahead of time helps make sure you can get to your polling location in time.
Check with your local system to see if they are offering rides and to schedule yours.
