LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville’s public bus system wants to make it easier for voters to get to the polls on Election Day. 

Gene Covington relies on the TARC bus to get around. To him, this transportation in his hometown is very important.

“Because that’s my means of transportation. I have glaucoma, and I can’t drive no more, like I used to.” Covington told Spectrum News 1 as he sat at a bus stop in the Highlands of Louisville. 

Even though he can’t drive anymore, he still travels to cast his vote. He tells me he plans on taking TARC to the polls on Election Day.

Turns out, his ride is already covered! All TARC routes will be free on Election Day as they have been the past couple years. This includes both to and from Kentucky General Election polling places.

“We just want to reduce barriers. Any barrier that somebody might have to get to the polls. We want to eliminate that one small barrier of having the TARC fare on that day. Just to make it a little easier.” Carrie Butler, the executive director of TARC, explained to Spectrum News.

Butler said offering fare-free rides on Election Day is part of their commitment to public transportation in the community. Butler explained how it’ll work.

“It’ll be very simple.” Butler said. “You just board the bus. We’ll have a bag or some kind of cover on the fare box and you won’t need to tap your MyTarc card or pay a fare when you get on board.”

Back at the bus stop, it was welcome news to Covington. “I think it’s great!” Covington said. “Because I did last time I voted. I used the TARC to get to vote.”

Covington said he plans to ride TARC to the polls again every time he votes. 

Election Day is Tuesday Nov. 8. The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office said polls are open 6 a.m.-6 p.m., local time. If you are in line to vote by 6 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.