Regina Transit to offer free bus service on New Year’s Eve

There will be free bus rides once again on New Year’s Eve in Regina.

SGI and Regina Transit are partnering for their campaign Wing in the New Year, meaning people should let a bus driver be their ‘wingman” to get them home safe after celebrating.

Free service starts at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 and runs until 2:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

“It’s just one more tool for people. You can plan ahead, have a designated driver, take a cab, spend the night or use public transportation for free on New Year’s Eve,” said Michelle Okere, regional manager for MADD Canada.

“Honestly, it makes it a very clear choice. There’s really no excuse to drive impaired when you have all of those options available to you.”

About 2,300 people took advantage of the free rides last year, Mayor Michael Fougere said, also crediting the bus drivers.

“We should really appreciate that,” he said. “These drivers want to be there. They made the choice themselves to volunteer to do this. For us as a city, we’re very proud of that fact.”

According to Supt. Darcy Koch from Regina Police Service, they’ve charged 380 people with impaired driving so far this year, a decrease from 495 total charges in 2017.

Koch said they will have increased patrols and spot checks on New Year’s Eve.