No free rides, really?

[djbout]

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-st ... .htm#85240

I am older, I dont go "out" on New Years, but this flabbergasted me, really no free rides, did they not offer them in previous years? I know I know, nothing is for free, plan ahead, blah blah blah....but as far back as I can remeber from my youth in Vancouver and here there was free rides on New Years!

[oneh2obabe]

Of the 130 municipalities that offer some kind of transit service on a regular basis, between 15 and 20 of those places offer some sort of extra service and or free rides, but Kelowna is not one of them.

“It’s definitely a municipal decision and in the case of Kelowna it would also be with the district of West Kelowna and Lake Country and everyone would have to come together and agree on what kind of service,” says Burton.

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-st ... .htm#85240

[djbout]

Thanks one 2 o, I know whoes decision it was, this was not meant to bash BC Transit, it was a "really" are you serious thread.....I have just always taken it for granted ( yes I just said that) that buses were free on New Years where ever I have lived....just seems kinda cheesey and cheap on our city!

[Graphite]

It is not like a ride on the bus is expensive.

[oneh2obabe]

I agree ... no reason they shouldn't offer free rides tonight. Penticton, Osoyoos and other towns in the Kootenays are offering free rides tonight.

[oneh2obabe]

It is not like a ride on the bus is expensive.

True, it's only $2.25 one way but the city is offering a Family friendly New Year's Eve celebration so why not make it easier for families to attend and offer free transit?

The free celebration runs from 6 to 9 p.m. but transfers are only good for 90 minutes which means families will have to pay the fare both ways.

[Catz]

I agree, and was a bit shocked at this...

[Liquidnails]

In Vancouver not only is it free, hours are extended to 5am Jan 1st.

[djbout]

It is not like a ride on the bus is expensive.

You are absolutey correct that rides are not expensive, and that is the point, if rides are not expensive why did our city see it fit not to pay? I have no objections to paying for peoples rides for one night, either to enjoy the New Years Eve's festivities for the evening or for even more importantly a safe ride home......

[motorhomebabe]

Are you seriously sugessting the taxpayers should pay for that? sarcasam off now.

[djbout]

:200: Are you seriously sugessting the taxpayers should pay for that? sarcasam off now.

Where's the "like" button when you need one

[Tero]

If you can afford to go out on New Years Eve you can afford to either

Arrange for a DD

Pay for a cab

Buy a bus ticket

Why should anyone else foot the bill because you want to get intoxicated and lose your ability to get home safely?

[djbout]

If you can afford to go out on New Years Eve you can afford to either

Arrange for a DD

Pay for a cab

Buy a bus ticket

Why should anyone else foot the bill because you want to get intoxicated and lose your ability to get home safely?

I have always seen it as a small gesture from our community to it's residents.....many events are free for families that otherwise could not afford them, a bus ride there was a token gift, yes a "gift"...and many people young and old could, would and will find themselves in a situation where they need a ride home with no cash in their pockets...yes, not smart, yes not "planned" but sometimes the best laid plans go awry and somehow that seems to happen alot on New Years, I may not go out anymore, but I certainly remember being young and unprepared...maybe you have ALWAYS just been smarter?

Oh and by the way someone else previously mentioned in this thread that Penticton is offering free rides this evening.....

[Tero]

I have always seen it as a small gesture from our community to it's residents.....many events are free for families that otherwise could not afford them, a bus ride there was a token gift, yes a "gift"...and many people young and old could, would and will find themselves in a situation where they need a ride home with no cash in their pockets...yes, not smart, yes not "planned" but sometimes the best laid plans go awry and somehow that seems to happen alot on New Years, I may not go out anymore, but I certainly remember being young and unprepared...maybe you have ALWAYS just been smarter?

Oh and by the way someone else previously mentioned in this thread that Penticton is offering free rides this evening.....

Well awesome! I live in Penticton! I'm gonna head out to get *bleep* with no plan...

[JayByrd]

To the OP, yes, Kelowna did used to offer free bus service on NYE. I'm not sure when they stopped.

I thought it was a nice service to offer. If it keeps even one person from "chancing it" by drinking and driving, it's serviced it's purpose IMO. I do wonder how many people used it though...and with security on buses becoming more of an issue, I wonder if it was just deemed to be more trouble than it's worth.