Ding in the New Year is back for another year.
The City of Regina and Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) are teaming up for the 28th year to offer the free transit service. The buses are available in Regina from 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 2:12 a.m New Year’s Day.
SGI Minister Don McMorris calls it a popular service.
“Last year in Regina alone about 2,100 people used the service. Over the 27 years, over a quarter of a million people have used the service,” said McMorris.
Typically in a year, the Regina Police Service (RPS) respond to two drunk driving calls a day and during Christmas that increases to five.
RPS superintendent Corey Zaharuk hopes revelers take up the alternatives like these.
“I am encouraged that programs like this help raise awareness, help change people’s minds about drinking and driving and help prevent it,” Zaharuk explained.
It is a sentiment echoed by Mayor Michael Fougere.
“These programs send a very powerful message not to drink and drive.”
There were three deaths and many more injuries as a result of drinking and driving last year.