Connect Transit, Checker Cab offer free rides to polls

Posted on March 20, 2018

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Voters who need a ride to the polls have a few free options.

Connect Transit, the local bus service, is offering rides to polling places in Bloomington-Normal. Two polling locations were moved from two Unit 5 schools. The polling locations at Parkside Junior High School and Normal West High School are the two locations that have been moved to the Astroth Community Center at Heartland Community College and can be accessed by traveling on the Yellow Route.

“We want to make sure everyone that can vote does on Election Day. Providing free rides ensures that the lack of transportation to polls will not be an obstacle for Bloomington-Normal citizens to vote” said Interim General Manager Isaac Thorne said.

Checker Cab and Yellow Cab are offering free rides by calling (309) 828-0123. Those requesting a free ride must mention “Taxi-2-vote.”

“The ability to vote is a right in (this) great country of ours,” Checker Cab President Aaron Halliday said. “I think it’s important that people have the chance to vote and I would gate to think that the lack of transportation would stop someone from exercising their right to vote. We have done this twice in the past and had a great turn out.

Halliday adds the service is not affiliated with any political party or campaign.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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