Heading to the polls on Tuesday? LA Metro is trying to make sure the cost of a ride is not the reason you stay home.
The agency is suspending fares across its entire system for Los Angeles County's June 2 primary, giving riders free access to buses, trains, Metro Bike Share and the on-demand Metro Micro service so they can reach vote centers and ballot drop boxes. Riders will not need TAP cards or other payment cards to get through fare gates, a move Metro says should help keep crowds moving at busy stations.
As reported by NBC Los Angeles, Metro has also teamed up with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder to place 10 official ballot drop boxes at Metro stations for the primary. The free rides line up with heightened attention on the Los Angeles mayoral race and the statewide gubernatorial primary.
Why Metro Is Waiving Fares
This is not a one-off giveaway. Metro's board voted in 2019 to permanently offer fare-free service on federal and statewide election days to remove transportation as a barrier to voting, and the agency regularly points to that policy when it drops fares for elections. LA Metro has typically folded Metro Bike Share and Metro Micro into those efforts, sometimes using short free-ride windows or promo codes to help riders close the last-mile gap to nearby vote centers.
Where To Vote And Drop Your Ballot
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder opened 122 Vote Centers on May 23 and maintains an online locator with hours and locations; Vote Centers and official drop boxes are available through 8 p.m. on Election Day, the county said in a media release. For maps and current vote-center options, check the Registrar-Recorder's announcement from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Other Agencies And Rider Tips
Metro is not the only one dropping fares. Several local transit agencies are following suit, with Pasadena Transit and other city systems set to offer free rides on June 2 to help voters reach polls and ballot drop boxes, according to local coverage. Riders should also check Metro's website and apps before heading out for any Metro Bike Share promo codes or Metro Micro instructions. The agency's site and the county's voter portal carry the latest maps, fine print and service notes, with Pasadena Now and Metro.net outlining those details.
If you skipped the mailbox, do not panic. You can still drop your ballot at official boxes at Metro stations on Election Day while riding the system for free. Just plan ahead, use the county's locator to find your nearest vote center and available time windows, and double-check the Registrar-Recorder's release from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk before you head out.
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