WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Twenty-nine people turned over their keys Wednesday night and left the driving to St. Joseph County Transportation Authority as part of its “New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home” offer.
Agency director Marci Goodman said the service started at 7 p.m. Wednesday and concluded at 2 a.m. Thursday.
With a driver and vehicle positioned in Three Rivers, and another in Sturgis, the CTA did its part to help New Year’s Eve revelers get home safely, Goodman said, adding that 19 passengers rode the Three Rivers-based vehicle while 10 patronized the Sturgis bus.
The most popular pick-up location was the Riviera Theater in Three Rivers, while the Harvey House in Constantine was another busy location, Goodman said. By and large, most other rides originated from private residences, she added.
Goodman said Doug Diekman, from the Three Rivers Eagles, conducted a 50/50 draw, with proceeds going to help offset the $800 it costs to operate Safe Ride Home. The fundraiser netted the CTA $141.
Other financial supporters of this year’s service were Nottawa Gas, the In-Between, Frankie’s, Frank Perez Insurance, and first-time sponsor Southern Michigan Bank and Trust.
New Year’s Eve Safe Ride Home started in 2009. The greatest number of rides was 65, in 2020, on the eve of 2021.
