There are several nonpartisan organizations and groups that will be offering free transportation to the polls on Election Day in metro Detroit and around the state.

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Among them are APIA Vote MI, which has teamed up with Lyft to provide free rides with the goal of helping to increase voter turnout in the region.

Executive Director Rebeka Islam says lack of transportation can prevent people from voting. 

“We hope that by providing one reliable and free transportation, we can increase voter turnout, especially, again, amongst our committees who might otherwise face logistic challenges or feel like you know, it’s not important to vote,” Islam said. “We want to make sure that we empower our community, that every vote counts.”

Other organizations offering free rides to the polls on Tuesday include:

• Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Rides are available to and from polling locations on Election Day (November 5). Request a ride by calling (888) 328-4283 or email contact@oakland-service.com. Rides are wheelchair accessible.

• Detroit Bus Company – Rides are available on Sunday, November 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Election Day (November 5) after 9 a.m. Request a ride by calling (313) 444-2871 or filling out this form.

• Detroit Downriver APRI – Rides are available from Saturday, October 26 through Election Day (November 5). Request a ride by filling out this form. We encourage you to fill out the form one day in advance.

• Voter Transportation Project – Rides are available now through Election Day (November 5). Call or text “Detroit” to (866) 759-8683 to book a free Lyft ride.

• Warriors on Wheels – Rides are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thursday, October 31 through Sunday, November 3 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day (November 5). Request a ride by calling (313) 552-2916 or filling out this form. Rides are wheelchair accessible.

For a complete list of discounted or free rides around the state, visit MichiganVoting.org/rides. 

Other headlines for Monday, Nov. 4, 2024:

• The Justice Department says it will dispatch election monitors to check for compliance with federal voting rights laws in Warren, Ann Arbor, Hamtramck, Detroit and Flint for the general election Tuesday.
• Real Estate firm Bedrock is bringing Cosm, a new experiential entertainment venue, to Downtown Detroit.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Friday on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover the remnants of Hurricane Helene bringing strong winds and rain to the Midwest; Detroit’s new funding boost to improve the Gratiot corridor and more.

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Rain headed to metro Detroit

Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 40 people in four states, The Associated Press reports. The Category 4 storm has since weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, with its remnants expected to bring winds and rain to the metro Detroit area starting around 6 p.m. Rainy weather is likely to stick around through the weekend, with highs  in the 70s on Saturday and Sunday

HOPE application deadline move up

The deadline to apply for Detroit’s Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program has been moved up from early December to Nov. 1. City officials say the change gives the Property Assessment Board of Review more time to evaluate applications and allows applicants extra time to submit complete forms before the end of the year.

The number of applications received by the Board of Review has grown a lot, according to program staff, so the earlier deadline will give them more time to manage the high volume of applications. The HOPE program gives Detroit homeowners a 10-100% exemption from their current year’s property tax. The eligibility is based on if the resident owns or occupies their primary residence. For more information about the HOPE program, including eligibility, required documents and how to apply, visit Detroitmi.gov/HOPE or call the Housing Resource Helpline at 866-313-2520.

Detroit gets funding boost to improve Gratiot 

The city of Detroit received over $12 million to make the Gratiot corridor safer for all users. The funding is part of the Safe Streets for All grant from the U.S Department of Transportation and the State of Michigan Infrastructure office. The city is focusing on the entire corridor of Gratiot within Detroit city limits, with the goal of making a lasting and meaningful impact on safety and reducing crashes.
Between 2019 and 2023, there have been over 2,000 crashes, 1,000 injured and 38 fatalities along the corridor, according to the city. More information about the project can be found on the city’s website.

Sound bath at Peace & Pilates

Peace & Pilates in Detroit is hosting a Stretch and Sound Bath event at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the studio. The event is meant for those who are seeking to relax and reset for the week ahead. Attendees with have the opportunity to stretch and take part in empowering affirmations followed by a calming sound bath and a hot herbal tea selection. More information at peaceandpilatesstudio.com.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is lifting some restrictions for transporting certain hazardous substances across the Ambassador Bridge this fall.

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MDOT will ease restrictions on transporting fuels and materials for batteries beginning Oct. 29. The bridge’s owners requested the looser restrictions, saying it can respond quickly to a fire or spill. 

MDOT commissioned a technical study  in June 2021 to evaluate the risks associated with transporting restricted materials on the Ambassador Bridge from Porter Street in Detroit to Canada, the state reported. MDOT subsequently collected more than 80 letters from elected officials, business owners and community members, many expressing support for the looser restrictions.

Restricted materials will only be transported during off-peak hours, under the supervision of vehicle escorts, according to the state.

Other headlines for Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024:

• The city of Detroit is holding informational sessions this month to teach local nonprofits how to apply for grants to expand or improve their programs.
• Detroit is also offering free estate planning workshops to residents during the month of September.
• The Brightmoor Artisans Collective is recruiting volunteers for its Beautification Day event Saturday, Sept. 7. 
• The Paradise Wellness Academy is hosting a free Community Health Education series this month, featuring live cooking demonstrations and tips for preparing nutritious meals, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19 and 26. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.