Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) will once again be offering free rides around the Grand Traverse region on Election Day, the organization announced in a press release Monday. The gesture is intended to help local residents “reach the polls and other locations throughout the community” on Tuesday, November 3.

“Transportation should not be a barrier to voting,” BATA reasoned in the press release. “Riders can board any City or Village Loop bus without paying a fare during normal service hours on Election Day. Free rides are available to everyone, whether traveling to vote, work, school, appointments or other destinations.”

BATA’s City Loop buses focus on City of Traverse City limits, but the Village Loop offers service to numerous outlying communities throughout Grand Traverse County, including Interlochen and Kingsley, and even crosses into Leelanau County. BATA maps and schedules can be found here. Those who need help planning a trip for Election Day can also call BATA customer service at 231-941-2324.

BATA has been offering free transportation on Election Day since 2018, and gave more than 700 free rides last year, the press release said.