Voters without a way to the polls can get there free starting Monday, Oct. 19, when early voting opens in Tarrant County.
Trinity Metro is offering free day passes through its "Let's Ride to Vote" program from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. Riders can enter promo code VOTE26 in the GoPass app to get a complimentary local day pass, the agency says, and should leave it inactive until they are ready to board.
Paper day passes are available at the customer service kiosk at Fort Worth Central Station, 1001 Jones St., where each rider requests their own pass for the date they plan to vote. No identification is required.
The agency's page lists 16 early voting sites its routes serve, including East Regional Library, Como Community Center, Diamond Hill/Jarvis Branch Library, the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods, Northside Community Center and the Tarrant County Elections Center on Premier Street. Regular service hours and areas apply.
The Fort Worth Report said bus, On-Demand, TEXRail, Trinity Railway Express and Trinity Metro Bikes users can also take part. Trinity Metro's customer care line is 817-215-8600.
Volunteers fill gaps
Community groups are also lining up drivers. Fort Worth resident Ken Shimamoto told the Fort Worth Report he is working with churches, including New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Morningside, to drive voters who lack transportation. "We're going to get people to the polls," he said.
Shimamoto said one effort will carry Las Vegas Trail residents about 6 miles south to Benbrook, their closest voting location, and that two groups plan to take University of Texas at Arlington students to polling places. The Fort Worth Community Collaborative is recruiting volunteer drivers as well, and the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County is pointing voters to ride programs.
