Joel Burgess

jburgess@citizen-times.com

ASHEVILLE - In a move municipal leaders say will reduce "barriers to voting" and will show support to low-income residents, the city is planning to make all buses free on primary election day.

The City Council is set to pass a resolution Tuesday making the March 15 primary day "fare free" for Asheville's transit system. The primaries include races ranging from president to county commissioner.

A ride on the city system, known as ART — or "Asheville Redefines Transit" — normally costs $1, or 50 cents for children, seniors or disabled riders.

The resolution set to be passed by the council says "barriers to voting include difficulty accessing transportation."

"The Asheville City Council affirms that all registered voters should have access to the polls," the resolution says. And "fare-free transit days are an inexpensive way to demonstrate support for the population that does not have access to affordable transportation."

The city normally brings in about $2,000 daily with bus fares, said Mariate Echeverry, city transportation planning manager fare.

Top revenue sources for city transit are federal and state grants, a subsidy from the city's general fund made up mostly of property taxes and bus fares.

To find a bus route go to ashevillenc.gov/Departments/Transit or google.com/maps under the transit option.

Or contact ART at 828-253-5691 iride@ashevillenc.gov or visit the station at Asheland Avenue next to the post office.

Early voting starts Thursday for presidential, county primaries