Guelph Transit provides more than 4,000 free rides on New Year’s Eve

Guelph, ON, January 6, 2015 – 4,258 free rides were taken on Guelph Transit on New Year’s Eve as part of the free transit service sponsored by local downtown businesses.

Sponsorship provided by the Downtown Guelph Business Association (DGBA), with additional financial support from the Western Hotel, McCabe’s Irish Pub, Bobby O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Trappers Alley, Albion Hotel and Woolwich Arrow Pub, allowed Guelph Transit to increase ridership on New Year’s Eve by 33 per cent. Ridership went up from 2,919 rides in 2013 to 4,258 rides in 2014.

“Guelph Transit’s free New Year’s Eve service, sponsored by the Downtown Guelph Business Association, shows that successful partnerships work and the results speak for themselves. The free transit service reduced the number of private passenger vehicles on the roads during New Year’s Eve celebrations and provided a safe travel alternative for the citizens of Guelph,” explains Phil Meagher, general manager of Guelph Transit. “Guelph Transit looks forward to working with DGBA to continue this important partnership and to providing viable alternative transportation options for Guelph residents and visitors.”

Free extended transit service was offered to riders from 7 p.m. on December 31, 2014 until approximately 2:15 a.m. on January 1, 2015.

“What a fantastic result. The fact that an additional 1,200 people chose Guelph Transit on New Year’s Eve shows that making it free is a great idea,” says Marty Williams, executive director, Downtown Guelph Business Association. “We are very proud to be a part of getting people home safely, and know that all the Downtown Guelph businesses who contributed to the initiative feel the same way. Thanks to Guelph Transit for asking us to be a part of it.”

Extended service on New Year’s Eve has been offered by Guelph Transit every year since 2007. 2014 was the first year the service was offered for free.