NORFOLK, Va., – Hampton Roads residents took advantage of free public transit on Election Day. Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) farebox data shows 30,485 riders boarded a bus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, up 38% from Election Day 2023.
Bus ridership on Election Day in 2023 was 22,062, and on Nov. 8, 2022, a midterm election year, bus ridership was 20,531.
“We are thrilled to see such a significant increase in people trying public transit to get to the polls,” said William E. Harrell, President and CEO at Hampton Roads Transit. “Free-fare days are a great opportunity to demonstrate the potential of public transit and to connect the community.”
Election Day is one of four free-fare days HRT offers annually. Transit Equity Day (Feb. 4, 2025), Earth Day (April 22), and Juneteenth (June 19) are also opportunities for Hampton Roads residents to try transit at no cost.