WORCESTER, MA. _ As Election Day draws near, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) is making sure no voter is left behind and in an unprecedented move, has made voting accessible to everyone in the city.

Beginning on Friday, October 24, those individuals living in the Precinct area 5-2 and 7-5 (the Hamilton Street and Hadwen Park area of Worcester) will be offered free transportation to and from the polls through the WRTA. Worcester has 50 precincts, to which the WRTA already offers service to 48, either going directly by a polling place or within a very short walk (less than a quarter of a mile). With this added transportation to these two precincts, the city will now have 100 percent public transportation coverage on Election Day.

“A private citizen, Bill Coleman, came to us with this idea. This is something we have never tried before, but felt giving this type of service to the people of Worcester would be invaluable,” said WRTA Administrator Stephen O’Neil. “Everyone who can vote should have access to vote, and we are giving them that access. Mr. Coleman had a terrific idea, and I’m thrilled we are able to implement it.”

“I’m a big community advocate in Worcester,” Coleman said. “The idea of transporting people to the polls is a natural fit for the WRTA. Stephen O’Neil and his board were very receptive to this idea. I think the people are going to embrace it.”

“This added service by the WRTA affords everyone who is eligible to vote the opportunity to get to a polling place. What a terrific way to make sure everyone in our city can take part in such an important election,” said Worcester City Manager Michael O’Brien.

For individuals living in the Precinct areas 5-2 and 7-5 (the Hamilton Street and Hadwen Park area of Worcester), service to the polling location from voters’ home addresses (and return trip home) will begin at 9:45 a.m. on November 4 and end at 7 p.m. that evening.

To schedule a ride, individuals living in Precinct areas 5-2 and 7-5 are asked to call (508) 752-9283 ext. 2222 beginning on Friday, October 24 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. up until Monday, November 3. You will be asked to leave your name, telephone number, home address, precinct number and requested time of pick up. Service is available on a first-come, first-served basis.