CapMetro Waives All Fares for Midterm Election Day Riders
The Austin transit operator is covering costs for buses, rail, and bikes on November 3 to support voter access.
By John Laurent ·
CapMetro is absorbing the full cost of transit fares for Austin residents on Tuesday, November 3. The operator will waive all charges across its network for the 2026 midterm elections. This includes standard bus routes, rail lines, paratransit services, and bike-share rentals.
The fee waiver is not limited to trips to polling places. A press release confirms that riders can use the free service to travel to any destination on the network. The policy applies to all service types, including the "access" program for riders with disabilities and standard pick-up services.
Bike-share users face specific conditions for the free ride. Riders must select the "I Voted!" pass to unlock 60 minutes of free time. The system requires a credit card to place a $24 hold on the account. CapMetro will refund that hold within 24 hours, provided the rider returns the bike within the 60-minute window. Overage charges will apply if the bike is kept longer than the free period.
The agency provides a web planner to help customers map their routes. Travis County voters are permitted to cast ballots at any location within the county. All polling places in the area will operate from 7 am to 7 pm on Election Day. A county-wide list of these locations is available for public review.
Voters have several options to preview their personalized ballots. Ballots vary by address due to specific races, such as city council seats. Vote411 allows users to build ballots and view candidate responses. The Texas Tribune offers personalized ballots with race explanations and historical data visuals. The League of Women Voters publishes a nonpartisan guide covering every race and city proposition. KVUE, a news partner of CultureMap, has also released a guide explaining local propositions.
Travis County recorded a new record for in-person ballots cast during early voting for a midterm election this year. This surge in early participation precedes the Election Day fare waiver.
CapMetro’s web planner remains the primary tool for riders to determine the best routes between their homes and chosen polling locations.
Source: Culturemap Austin
More Business · Customer Complaints · Report a business · Got a Story?
