Free public transit being offered on New Year's Eve across much of B.C.
New Year's Eve partygoers in British Columbia are being urged to plan a safe trip home this year with free transit offered in several communities for much of Sunday evening and early Monday morning.
Metro Vancouver's transit authority will be offering free service on all routes from 5 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. on New Year's Day.
TransLink says extra bus services will run throughout the night. The SkyTrain will also run one hour later than usual, and the SeaBus will run an extended schedule.
"Really, the purpose of that is to just make sure that anyone, [for whom] maybe cost is a barrier, they can get home safely," said TransLink spokesperson Dan Mountain.
"If you're looking to go out on New Year's Eve and you're even considering driving, just know transit is free."
Mountain urged revellers not to drink and drive on Dec. 31. He also said anyone who starts their trip before 5 p.m. on Sunday evening should tap their Compass card on the way out so they are charged the correct fare.
There will be extra police officers and TransLink staff working overnight to assist partygoers and monitor anticipated crowds, Mountain said.
In the rest of B.C., numerous cities will be offering free public transit on Sunday — including Greater Victoria, Prince George and Kamloops.
A full list of communities with free transit on New Year's Eve can be found at the B.C. Transit website.
Impaired driving among the leading causes of traffic fatalities, says ICBC
The Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) says that on average, nearly 170 people are injured in 585 crashes on New Year's Eve across the province.
Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities each year, with ICBC saying that 21 per cent of all fatal crashes are caused by impaired drivers.
The insurer says police officers will be out in force looking for impaired drivers.
In a statement, ICBC said that revellers should plan ahead and use public transit or ride-hailing if celebrations involve alcohol or other drugs.
ICBC says that on average, nearly 170 people are injured in 585 crashes on New Year's Eve across the province. The insurer is urging New Year's Eve partygoers to use public transit, ride-hailing services, designated drivers or Operation Red Nose. (Mario De Ciccio/Radio-Canada)
The insurer is also urging people to use designated drivers or Operation Red Nose, which connects holiday revellers with volunteers who will chauffeur them and their vehicle home.
Operation Red Nose will service the communities of Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities in Metro Vancouver — as well as Chilliwack, Kamloops, Prince George and Williams Lake.
The service says it is celebrating its 28th year of operation in B.C. this year.
