Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti introduced a motion to provide all riders with free Election Day rides on Metro, and it was approved at the Metro board of directors meeting on Oct. 25.

The mayor and three co-authors, Los Angeles County supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Mark Ridley-Thomas and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, put the proposal forward to lift fares for all riders on Nov. 6.

“A lack of transportation should never stand between a voter and the polls,” Garcetti said. “Every vote counts in this democracy, and we have to do everything we can to help Americans exercise our most fundamental right.”

“Voting is one of the most important acts of civic engagement,” said Kuehl, chair of the Metro board. “And Metro wants to make sure our county voters get the message: ‘Please vote! We want to make it easy for you.’”

“On election day, our priority must be making sure voters in all corners of the county are undeterred from getting to the ballot box and exercising their right to vote,” Ridley-Thomas said. “Free rides are a great way to help make that happen.”