In a continuing effort to promote safety and responsible celebrations, the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) have announced the return of their annual Free Ride Program. Starting at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, all Regular and Transit Plus services will be free of charge until the end of service. The final buses will depart from downtown around 1:30 a.m., providing ample time for revelers to get home safely.
Mayor Scott Gillingham emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Free Ride Program is an important tradition that ensures Winnipeggers can celebrate New Year’s Eve safely and responsibly. The results from this year’s Winnipeg Police Service Checkstop Program show that too many people are still driving while impaired. By providing free transit service, the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Public Insurance are offering a safe and convenient way to get home after a night out.”
Councillor Janice Lukes, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works, echoed these sentiments, noting, “Alcohol-related driving deaths are 100 percent preventable. We are proud to partner with MPI to give Winnipeggers a safe and dependable way home. Since 2011, the Free Ride Program has helped thousands ring in the New Year.”
This year, tragic statistics highlight the ongoing danger of impaired driving. In 2024, 13 individuals lost their lives, and 86 more suffered injuries due to impaired driving incidents in Manitoba. To date, 2,164 drivers have been found to be driving impaired, posing significant risks to themselves and others on the road.
MPI’s Vice President & Chief Customer and Product Officer, Maria Campos, stressed the importance of abstaining from alcohol before driving: “The best amount of alcohol to consume before getting behind the wheel is none. Collisions involving impairment by alcohol or drugs are responsible for killing far too many Manitobans, and it does not have to be that way.”
Manitoba continues to impose some of the strictest penalties in Canada for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consequences can include vehicle impoundment, license suspension, mandatory ignition locks, hefty fines, increased insurance premiums, and potential criminal charges.
MPI and the City of Winnipeg urge all residents to plan their transportation ahead of time if they intend to consume alcohol or cannabis, ensuring that the New Year remains a time of joy and celebration rather than tragedy. Plan a safe ride home and take advantage of the Free Ride Program to get home safely.
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