With the final hours of the year slipping away many of you may be planning to celebrate the arrival of the new year by attending a party or event this evening. As alcohol is often a staple at such celebrations it is important to make plans for your trip home when the bar is closed or your host wants to scoot you out the door. Luckily, there are many options available to help get you home safe.
If you live in an area serviced by TransLink please note that buses, SkyTrains and SeaBuses will be running later tonight, and free fares start at 5:00p.m. and run until 5:00a.m. Check the TransLink website for service schedules. The handy Trip Planner (http://tripplanning.translink.ca/) allows users to check which routes are offering extra service this evening.
Another popular option is to select a designated driver from your entourage to ensure a sober soul is prepared to get everyone safely home. As an incentive, many pubs, bars and restaurants offer non-alcoholic drinks free-of-charge to designated drivers.
Taxi cabs are always an option, but can be hard to find at the end of the night as all the bars and clubs tend to close at the same time. Sometimes you can schedule a pick-up in advance which makes life a little less stressful when the party is over. If you carry an iPhone or Android device you can download the Taxi Now app (www.taxinow.ca) which may give you an advantage over the other revellers when the search for a cab is at its peak.
For residents outside the City of Vancouver (Vancouver does not over this service) you may be lucky enough to reside in a community that takes part in the innovative Operation Red Nose program. ORN is a free service provided by a small army of volunteers from various service organizations around the province. Individuals who find themselves needing to get both their car and themselves home in one piece can call the service at 1-877-604-NOSE and phone lines will be open from 9:00p.m.-3:00a.m. Residents of the Langley-Surrey have their own dedicated phone number: 604-532-0888. While ORN is a free service, the organization greatly appreciates donations as all monies raised are used to fund amateur sports programs in the regions where the service operates.
Have a safe and Happy New Year!
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