WILMINGTON, N.C. — This election day, many businesses across The Tar Heel state are trying to make it easier for voters to get to the polls, including Wave Transit in Wilmington. It's offering free rides to all passengers this Tuesday.
Darryl Rogers has been helping people get from point A to point B for 35 years. Even after all this time, he still loves it just as much as the day he started.
“Thirty-five years later in driving, and it still tickles me that I actually get paid to do something that I love doing,” Rogers said.
For Rogers, it’s not just getting to drive that he loves, it’s also getting to help people.
“I’m a people person so being able to help people find their way around Wilmington, their way to new jobs and new restaurants,” Rogers said. “All of that’s a pleasure — it just makes you feel fantastic to help people achieve whatever it is they’re trying to achieve that day.”
Now he’s helping people with their right to vote. Wave Transit is giving free rides to the polls this Election Day. Rogers couldn’t be happier to help make sure that everyone gets a chance to cast their ballot.
“No one should have that excuse,” Rogers said. “Well, I don’t have taxi cab money, and I don’t have money to get to the polls.”
Rogers believes that no one should be made to feel excluded from voting — it’s a fundamental right.
“Regardless of how much money you have or what ZIP code you live in, that one day we all get to pretty much have the very same thing,” Rogers said. “And that’s an awesome thing.”
For Rogers, to have even the smallest role in helping people perform that right is the biggest reward.
“It’s my small way of just giving just a little bit back,” Rogers said. “And it’s a good feeling.”
All Wave Transit transportation services will be free Tuesday for anyone riding the bus including the fixed route buses, paratransit, rideMICRO and the Seahawk Shuttles. All routes will run as scheduled.
The Charlotte Area Transit Systems are also giving free rides to the polls as well as the Greensboro Transit Authority.
