Item 62 Passed 9-0
In plain language — from the agenda backup
This resolution asks the City Manager to team up with CapMetro and Travis County to look into keeping fare-free transit rides on Election Day for the 2026 general election, and to study whether free rides could be extended across the early voting period too. The catch is it's an exploratory step — staff would dig into the cost, who might split the bill, and whether the idea is even workable before anything is locked in. For folks who lean on the bus to get to the polls, this could mean one less hurdle on the way to voting.
The official agenda language
Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to coordinate with CapMetro and Travis County to explore the cost, possible cost sharing, and feasibility of continuing fare-free voting, which would provide waived transit fares for riders on Election Day during the 2026 general election, as well as the opportunity to expand fare-free voting to additional days during the early voting period.
What got said
- Zenobia Joseph neutral, urging fare-free transit every day
- CM Siegel tied fare-free voting to voting rights protections
The roll call
Approved on Consent 9-0
- Kirk Watson Mayor Yes
- Natasha Harper-Madison D1 Absent
- Vanessa Fuentes D2 Absent
- José Velásquez D3 Yes
- José "Chito" Vela D4 Yes
- Ryan Alter D5 Yes
- Krista Laine D6 Yes
- Mike Siegel D7 Yes
- Paige Ellis D8 Yes
- Zohaib "Zo" Qadri D9 Yes
- Marc Duchen D10 Yes