Laketran Provides Free Rides To Vote In General Election

Driver Ashley R. picks up Laketran rider William Jackson after voting early.

Lake County, OH, residents can take Laketran’s local routes 1-9 or a door-to-door Dial-a-Ride trip free to their polling location on Election Day for the general election with Laketran’s Vote & Ride program.

Polling locations in Lake County are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 7.

Free rides are also available to vote early at the Lake County Board of Elections at 105 Main Street, in Painesville, OH, until Saturday, November 4. Laketran routes 1, 4, 5, and 9 serve the Painesville Transfer Center across the street from the Board of Elections.

Madison, OH, resident William Jackson took advantage of Laketran’s Vote & Ride program to vote earlier this month. He has been riding Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride service since 2022 when a car accident effected his eyesight.

“Laketran is a God-send,” shared Jackson, as his children and grandchildren all work during the day and cannot help him with transportation. “The drivers are exceptionally friendly and helpful. I have yet to meet a driver I did not enjoy my ride with. Not only that, but the customer service representatives are great and will do everything they can to help get you a ride.”

To get a free ride to vote taking local routes 1-9, customers simply need to inform their bus driver when they board the bus that they are going to vote and the trip will be free.

Customers who use Dial-a-Ride, Laketran’s door-to-door service, can tell their customer service representative when scheduling a trip that they are going to vote. Reservations are required 1-12 business days in advance by calling Laketran at 440-354-6100.

“Transportation should never be a barrier for someone to exercise their right to vote,” Laketran CEO Ben Capelle said. “We’re more than happy to make sure our residents have access to the general election so they can get to the polls or vote early.”

For early voting times or to find a voting location, contact the Lake County Board of Elections at 440-350-2700 or visit https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/boe/.

Serving over 600,000 riders each year, Laketran is Lake County’s regional public transportation system offering nine Local Routes, door-to-door Dial-a-Ride, and three commuter Park-n-Ride routes with service between Lake County and downtown Cleveland, OH.