Wing in the New Year is a program that offers free transportation on New Years Eve. The program is suspended this year. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

No free rides

Wing in the New Year suspended this year due to COVID-19

Dec 14, 2020 | 12:26 PM

For the first time in the program’s history, Wing in the New Year will be cancelled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

SGI partnered with Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, and Moose Jaw for more than 30 years, offering free transit service on New Year’s Eve as an option for a safe, sober ride home. They hope the service will be available again next year.

SGI’s Manager of Media Relations, Tyler McMurchy, told paNOW although this service will not be available this year, there are still options for those who decide to go out this year, and need to get home safely.

“We still want to remind folks if they are choosing to leave their homes on New Year’s Eve, and are choosing to indulge in any impaired substance there are still multiple options to get home safely, and we encourage them to use them,” McMurchy said. “There is never a good reason to drive impaired.”

Other safe ride options to keep in mind are:

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· Plan ahead and designate a driver,

· Call a sober person in your household or bubble,

· Take a taxi, rideshare, designated driving service, or transit where available, or

· If you’re at someone else’s place, stay over.

McMurchy added the best option this year, is staying home.

Transportation Project Manager for Prince Albert, Keri Sapsford said buses will still be running regular hours that day.

“On December 31 they will be running their regular routes, during their regular operating hours,” Sapsford said. “We won’t be running overnight like we usually do with Wing in the New Year.”

Sapsford added the service is good for the community and hopes it will return next year.

“It has been a success in the past, so we would really like to see it happen again,” Sapsford said. “We’re hoping with everyone staying in and not partying, the service will not be missed as much this year.”

As well, to reduce impaired driving over the holidays this year, the P.A. Community Alcohol Strategy Steering Committee is doubling the number of cab coupons that will be available in the city.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8