Free bus rides to be offered in Detroit on Nov. 4 to boost voter turnout

Detroit — Free bus rides will be offered in Detroit all day on Nov. 4 to encourage people to vote in the general election, city officials said Thursday.

"This means that transportation should no longer be an issue when people need to cast their ballot," said Andre Gilbert, Deputy City Clerk of Detroit, at a Thursday press conference.

Buses operated by the Detroit Department of Transportation as well as regional SMART buses that have routes through Detroit will be free for everyone. It is the first time that free bus rides are being offered by the city and its another way to combat low voter turnout in the city, officials said.

The free bus rides are the lastest effort to boost voter turnout. In the August primary, 16.7% of registered voters, about 86,000 residents, in Detroit cast ballots in the election, narrowing the candidates for mayor, 9 city council seats and other local offices. The Nov. 4th general election will determine who wins those seats.




https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2025/10/09/buses-free-rides-general-election-detroit-mayor-transportation-turnout/86600255007/