{"id":366606,"date":"2026-08-09T02:52:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T02:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/366606\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T02:52:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T02:52:07","slug":"vote-by-bus-program-offers-free-rides-to-polls-in-south-tallahassee-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/366606\/","title":{"rendered":"Vote by Bus program offers free rides to polls in South Tallahassee communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

SOUTH TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) \u2014 A new Vote by Bus<\/a> program is offering free rides to and from the polls during early voting in South Tallahassee, targeting areas where voter turnout has historically been lower.<\/p>\n

WATCH FULL REPORT BELOW:<\/p>\n

Vote by Bus program offers free rides to polls in South Tallahassee communities<\/p>\n

The program serves the Jack McLean, Columbia Gardens, and Jake Gaither communities, aiming to remove transportation as a barrier for voters who don’t have a car, have limited access to transportation, or can’t drive.<\/p>\n

For Rebecca Metcalfe, getting to the polls wasn’t the problem, getting home was.<\/p>\n

After running over a nail, a flat tire left her and her family stranded for hours at the polls \u2014 a reminder of how quickly transportation can become a barrier.<\/p>\n

Bruce Strouble, the executive director at Citizens for a Sustainable Future and a chairperson for Tallahassee Alert, says, after reviewing voter data with the League of Women Voters and the Tallahassee Urban League, the group identified precincts with low voter turnout.<\/p>\n

“We found areas and certain precincts on the south side where the turnout, particularly during the primary, has been exceptionally low. So, as we were coming up with a strategy to address this, as we talked to residents, they said, ‘Sometimes we just need a ride.’ So we’re providing that,” Strouble said.<\/p>\n

For Metcalfe and her husband, who both live with disabilities, getting around can be a challenge.<\/p>\n

“That would be wonderful. I know so many, I know so many people, we know so many people that could use that,” Metcalfe said.<\/p>\n

Strouble says the goal is to make sure transportation doesn’t keep people from voting, especially with some local races potentially being decided during the August primaries.<\/p>\n

“You get involved during a primary because some of these races are going to be decided on the 18th. You won’t get another chance to vote in some of these, or you might see a candidate who you would have supported eliminated because you didn’t get a chance to get out and vote for them,” Strouble said.<\/p>\n

The bus is offering rides on Sunday, August 9, Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16. You can find more information here.<\/a><\/p>\n

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n

Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website. <\/a><\/p>\n

Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n

Like us on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow us on Instagram <\/a>and X.<\/a><\/p>\n