B-Metro helps residents get to the polls

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — One local transit system is making sure every voter can make their voice heard on Election Day.

The Brownsville Metro Station is offering free ride services to help voters arrive at their polling locations. Officials say they do this to encourage the public to vote, and some voters tell us they will be taking advantage of the free service.

Voters do not have to present or explain anything; they can just get on the bus and get off at their nearest polling location.

B-Metro transit manager Simon Ortiz says this is not the first year they have offered the service. In previous years, he says they have seen a great turnout of voters and expect the same this year.

Whether riders want to vote before or after work, the first bus leaves the station at 6 a.m., and bus service continues until 7 in the evening.

Ortiz says B-Metro does this to make sure there are no transportation barriers for voters.

"Pretty much what we want to encourage is for the public to make their voices heard, and we feel this is one of the ways to get that. People exercise their vote nationwide, so I think this is a good initiative,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz adds that B-Metro serves about 5,000 riders a day, with 18 buses running throughout the city. He says they will be keeping their daily operations the same on Election Day.

For more information on the B-Metro bus routes, visit Metro | Brownsville, TX.