In the News

Bus rides popular
St. Thomas Times-Journal
January 6, 2010

Free rides on a St. Thomas Transit bus proved popular on New Years Eve.

An estimated 575 riders climbed on board as St. Thomas Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) sponsored the free service to get impaired drivers off the road and onto a bus that evening.

That's up 25% from 2008, when just over 400 people took the bus during the same MADD-sponsored event.

"We can't believe the number. I am totally ecstatic. It's just wonderful that that many people didn't get behind the wheel.

"Who knows what could have, or might have, happened if they had," said Karen Holtby, president of St. Thomas MADD.

It's the third year free New Years Eve bus service has been available.

Approved by council in November, the program costs $2,100 which MADD funded with support from Shawn Jackson Funeral Home and the St. Thomas Elgin Safe Communities Coalition, through the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce.

Free bus rides were available along five bus routes from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Statistics from Dave White, transportation supervisor for the city, show ridership was highest in the Talbot Street area and downtown core, with 239 people hopping on the bus along that route.

The only sour note for the evening was the arrest of a 22-year-old man for public intoxication after St. Thomas police were called just after midnight to reports of someone causing a disturbance on a city bus.

Nobody was hurt and no damage was reported. Const. Jason Geddes of St. Thomas police said the man was issued a $110 provincial offences fine and lodged in cells until sober.