TransLink offers free NYE transit while VPD urges revelers to plan safe ride home
Posted December 31, 2019 7:36 am.
Last Updated December 31, 2019 8:15 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is asking anyone who is going out to ring in the New Year to plan a safe ride home and to not drink and drive.
Const. Tania Visintin recommends using transit, a taxi or calling a friend.
TransLink will have free of charge bus service between Dec. 31, 5:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2020. Starting at 2:00 a.m., all NightBus routes will depart from the NightBus District.
All SkyTrain lines will run approximately one hour later on New Years Eve.
The last SeaBus sailing from Lonsdale Quay will be at 2:00 a.m. and the last sailing from Waterfront will be at 2:22 a.m. to accommodate New Year’s Eve crowds, according to TransLink.
For a full list of schedules, visit the TransLink website.
Visintin reminds revelers drinking alcohol in public is illegal and comes with a $230 fine.
“This includes on public transportation, in parks, on beaches and on streets,” she said. “The liquor enforcement will be occurring in the downtown core and along the Skytrain and Canada Line routes and stations before, during and after New Years Eve events.”
VPD will have a large presence throughout the Granville Entertainment District, in hopes of deterring alcohol fueled fights and disturbances. The fine for fighting in Vancouver is now $1,000, recently doubled from $500.
With files from Paul James
