Vote & Ride – Laketran is helping residents vote with free ride

Rider takes Dial-a-Ride to Board of Elections
Driver Ashley R. picks up Laketran rider William Jackson after voting early at the Board of Elections

Lake County 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 until Saturday, November 4. Laketran Routes 1, 4, 5, and 9 serve the Painesville Transfer Center across the street from the Board of Elections. There is no in-person voting at the Board of Election on Election Day.

Madison 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 he was in a car accident that effected this 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 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,” shared Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “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 your voting location, contact the Lake County Board of Elections at 440-350-2700 or visit their website at https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/boe/.