KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – Thanks to a brand new initiative called Ride2Vote, Bell County voters now have a way to get to and from the polls, and it’s completely free.

The goal of this program, launched by OVA Transportation and the Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce, is to help increase voter turnout.

OVA CEO Shane Vadner says it all started when a local man who owned a small taxi company reached out to OVA and the Innovation Black Chamber to ask, “How can we help us get more people to the polls? »

“He knew the local community, he brought us together and created the opportunity and we took advantage of it,” Vadner said.

Together, they created Ride2Vote, which provides transportation for everyone, but especially for those who do not have the ability to travel alone.

Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce President Ronnie Russell says no one should be unable to vote.

“When we remove that excuse and give them the opportunity to get to the polls, that’s where the innovation part comes in, it’s about trying to see what services are out there that we can use to get these people to the polls. elections,” Russell explained.

And it’s quite simple. All you have to do is plan your ride, then on the day and time of your choosing, a driver will pick you up, take you to the Jackson Professional Learning Center to vote, then drop you off home, all at no cost .

Today I accompanied local resident Angel Fairley to vote, who shared how great it was to see something like this in Bell County.

“It’s amazing because now it’s not going to be an excuse to use your voice because you have a journey, you know, we all have the ability to get there,” Fairley said.

But how do they reach people across the country? Vadner says they’re actually using AI technology to call as many eligible voters as possible.

“We can call ten thousand people in a second and have an automated conversation that says where are you going to vote, can we get you there, it’s free,” Vadner explained.

And there are also many different community organizations that have helped spread the word.

According to Russell, “through those relationships, we began to create an effective way of doing this.”

All you have to do to sign up is call OVA or visit their website at rideova.com and select book a trip.

“You can just call and schedule a ride, for people who really don’t know how to be that technical or people who just don’t have the ability, so I feel like it’s very convenient,” Fairley explained.

Ride2Vote lasts until early voting, but they hope to bring this back for the next election.

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