If you were planning on going out on New Year's Eve, TransLink isn't helping you foot the transit bill.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the transportation agency says it won't offer free transit on New Year’s Eve this year.
With restrictions on social gatherings and events, TransLink believes it "would be inconsistent with provincial public health orders to offer free transit for this traditional evening of celebration."
Additionally, the transit authority will not be run extended hours and will instead operate on normal weekday service schedules. Customers can continue to use the transit system with their usual payment methods.
“We want to encourage everyone to celebrate safely this holiday season and follow the orders put in place by the Provincial Health Officer,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond.
“We all have a responsibility this year to keep our communities safe and we look forward to resuming free transit on New Year’s Eve in 2021.”
TransLink continues to ensure the health and safety of customers remains a top priority by making masks mandatory, increasing cleaning and sanitizing, limiting capacity on buses, and expanding the availability of hand sanitizer.
For more information, visit here.
Ban on events and social gatherings
Earlier this month, health officials announced that the province-wide COVID-19 restrictions will be extended until Jan. 8, 2021. However, one exception is for drive-in and drop-off events, where people do not get out of their cars. In these cases, a maximum of 50 cars is permitted.
In-person events and community-based gatherings as defined in the PHO order – Gatherings and Events (PDF) are suspended. For example:
- Seasonal activities, including indoor and outdoor holiday events (with the exception of drive-in and drop-off events)
- Musical or theatre performances
- Galas
- Silent auctions
- Movie viewings in cinemas
The order is in effect from Nov. 19, 2020 at midnight to Jan. 8, 2021 at midnight.
