Once she arrives at the polling station, Jacques helps the woman out of the car and to the polling station. “I think it’s important that people can cast their vote,” says the driver. “I’m happy to help them with that.”
He says he is never tempted to drive around the block if he disagrees with the party his passenger wants to vote for. “Then I would have to ask in advance what people are voting for,” he laughs. “No, that’s not how it works.”
Not much later, Ellie shuffles out of the polling station again. It all worked out and she is happy that it is over. “I find it all tiring.”
After a short drive, the 87-year-old is back home safely. Jacques still has to keep going. “I have two more trips to the polling station after this.”
Eight trips planned
The HugoHopper has been helping people in this way for a number of years who can no longer go to the polling station independently. The elderly in particular use it, says coordinator Beppie de Groot. “Eight of these types of rides are planned. We do this in between the normal rides, because we also have scheduled rides.”
De Groot notices that more and more people are using the service. “During the previous elections we had fewer of these rides. The ballot paper now also states that Dijk and Waarders can use the HugoHopper.”
The HugoHopper runs entirely on volunteers. “De Dijk and Waarders help each other to get to the polling station. It is really for each other, together.”