Affordable on-demand transit drives users to the polls

Originally published November 17, 2022. Updated October 7, 2024.

As voting commenced in the 2022 midterm elections, here at Via, we launched a poll of our own: How did you get to your polling place? Four cities with Via-powered on-demand transit services elected to offer free rides to and from polling places. We asked riders in those communities how they would have traveled to vote if microtransit were not available. To our surprise, nearly 30% reported that they would not have made the trip.

Here’s what some of them had to say: “If it wasn't for ZIPZONE I wouldn't of voted during these important midterm elections as we all know integrity is very important with elections nowadays." (Fort Worth , TX rider) "It was great being able to head straight to my polling location after work!" (Jersey City, NJ rider)  “My car is in the body shop. I had taken the day off to vote. If this option was not available, I couldn’t have voted and my previously scheduled day off would have been wasted." (Arlington, TX rider)

Studies have found that car ownership significantly increases the likelihood that a given person will vote, sometimes by 2x. We're thrilled to find that affordable, convenient transit access can have a similar effect, and ensure that Americans who don't drive — perhaps because they can't afford a car, or have a disability that prevents driving — are included in our vital political processes.