Need a ride to your polling place on Election Day? Free transportation will be available in Detroit, Southfield, Oakland County, Washtenaw County, and other Michigan communities on Tuesday, November 3!
Public transit agencies and community organizations are offering free rides to help residents get to the polls. Some services are free all day, while others require advance reservations or operate during specific hours.
Here’s what’s available and how to plan your trip.
Detroit: Free DDOT Rides All Day on Election Day!
los Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced fare-free service on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for both regular fixed-route buses and eligible paratransit riders.
DDOT Executive Director Robert Cramer joined Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey and the Department of Elections to announce the free rides.
The free fares apply all day, not just to trips to polling places.
To plan your trip:
- Find your polling place at detroitmi.gov/elections o mi.gov/voto.
- Check bus routes and schedules at detroitmi.gov/ddot.
- Use the Transit app to plan your trip.
DDOT Paratransit: Eligible riders should follow the regular advance reservation procedures. Call 313-774-5555 o visite Detroit Paratransit.
Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties: SMART Is Free on November 3!
SMART is offering free rides on all its transit services on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3!
The fare-free service applies throughout SMART’s operating areas in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties, including routes serving Southfield, Oak Park, Royal Oak, Pontiac, and other Metro Detroit communities.
Free service includes:
- SMART fixed-route buses: Regular buses that stop at designated locations along scheduled routes.
- SMART Connector: Curb-to-curb transportation available with advance reservations.
- ADA Paratransit: Curb-to-curb transportation for eligible riders with disabilities. Advance reservations are required.
- SMART Flex: On-demand transportation in designated service areas, including Auburn Hills/Pontiac, Troy/Clawson, Farmington/Farmington Hills, Dearborn, Hall Road, and Northern Macomb.
Important: Free fares do not change the eligibility requirements, reservation procedures, or service areas for Connector, ADA Paratransit, or SMART Flex.
If you need Connector or ADA Paratransit service, make your reservation before Election Day.
Plan your SMART ride: Visitar SMART’s website for bus schedules, routes, and service information.
You can also call SMART Customer Service at 866-962-5515.
Southfield: Another Free Ride Option
Southfield voters may also be able to arrange transportation through the Detroit Bus Company.
Michigan Voting’s Rides to the Polls guide lists free Election Day rides in Southfield on:
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
To ask about availability or request a ride, call 313-444-2871.
Please contact the provider ahead of Election Day whenever possible. The Detroit Bus Company’s own 2026 group-ride information lists a different service area, so Southfield residents should call to confirm that a ride is available for their location.
You can also check Michigan Voting’s Rides to the Polls page for transportation updates.
Washtenaw County: Free Public Transportation on Election Day!
Washtenaw County has launched a Free Fare Elections pilot program to provide free public transportation on Tuesday, November 3.
The county is partnering with three transportation providers to make services available across Washtenaw County, including communities outside Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
TheRide: Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Area
TheRide will not collect fares on November 3 for its participating services, including:
- Fixed-route buses
- FlexRide
- A-Ride
- GoldRide
Check routes, schedules, and service details at TheRide.org.
WAVE: Western Washtenaw County
Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) is offering free Election Day transportation in its service area, including communities in western Washtenaw County.
To book a ride:
- Call 734-475-9494.
- Correo electrónico bookmyride@wavebus.org.
- Use the Ride Pingo app.
Advance reservations may be required.
Visitar WAVE’s website para más información.
People’s Express: Additional Washtenaw County Communities
People’s Express is also participating in Washtenaw County’s free Election Day transportation program, helping serve communities beyond TheRide’s regular service area.
The easiest way to find the transportation provider serving your address is to use the county’s online ride finder.
Find Your Washtenaw County Election Day Ride
Visit the Washtenaw County Election Day Ride Finder.
Enter your address to find your polling location and connect with the transportation service available in your area.
For questions about the county’s free transportation program, call Washtenaw County Administration at 734-476-2192.
Need a Ride Somewhere Else in Michigan?
There are additional free and discounted transportation options available in other parts of Michigan.
Michigan Voting’s Rides to the Polls resource provides information about transportation options, service areas, phone numbers, and how to request a ride.
The guide includes resources for communities across the state, including Metro Detroit, Lansing, Genesee County, Washtenaw County, and West Michigan.
You can also read The ‘Gander’s roundup of free and discounted Election Day transportation.
Check transportation arrangements before November 3. Some providers require advance booking, serve only certain neighborhoods, or offer rides during limited hours.
Make Your Election Day Transportation Plan!
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time.
Before Election Day:
- Find your polling location a mi.gov/voto.
- Check which transportation service covers your area.
- Review its hours and reservation requirements.
- Plan your trip to the polls and your ride home.
If you’re in line at your polling place by 8:00 PM, you have the right to vote.
If you have questions about voting or encounter a problem at your polling place, call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
Need a ride? Check your options now and make your transportation plan for November 3!
ES 
EN