To help keep people safe, Winnipeg transit is offering free bus rides to people on New Year's Eve.

The offer starts at 7:00 p.m. on December 31 and is available thanks to the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Public Insurance.

"The Free Ride program allows Winnipeggers to celebrate safely on New Year’s Eve," says Councillor Janice Lukes, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works in a press release. "Winnipeg Transit, with support from Manitoba Public Insurance, offers a free and easy option to get home at the end of the evening, while helping to keep the roads safe by preventing alcohol-related tragedies."

The last bus leaves downtown at roughly 1:35 a.m. on January 1. 

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has sponsored the Free Ride New Year’s Eve service since 2011. As MPI data shows that impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of road fatalities, the public auto insurer is committed to reducing related collisions, deaths and injuries through supporting initiatives that offer safe and dependable options to those ringing in the New Year. 

People interested in taking advantage of this program can find bus routes and information here.