The Martin Police Department’s Safety Bus will be in operation for its third year in a row this New Years Eve night offering free rides for citizens, who want to ring in the new year with a little holiday cheer, from their homes to anywhere in Martin and back.

The bus will start around 7:00 p.m. and will run until 3:30 a.m. If someone needs to be picked up, all they need to do is call the police department at 587-5355. The bus will make scheduled stops all night at local taverns in Martin, including Church Street, Cheer’s, The Hut Nut, 22 Club, American Legion and The Stable.

The bus was given to the City of Martin in 2000 by the United States Air Force. Volunteer Distributors is a partner with the City of Martin in providing this service through the purchase of fuel, advertising, and sign displays in an attempt to provide everyone with a safe ride home. Patrol Officer David Bell will drive the bus again this year. Over 200 citizens have used this service the past two years.

“This service helps everyone that will be on the streets New Years Eve.” Said Lieutenant Dean Brooks. “ Even if you are not drinking on New Years Eve, the streets of Martin will be safer for you since their will be less people drinking and driving on the streets of Martin” added Brooks

“We’ll have extra police officers out on New Years Eve for those persons who drink alcohol and choose not to take our bus offer, however it is my sincere hope that our officers are not that busy. We have not had an alcohol related crash and only one person has been arrested for DUI on New Years Eve since the inception of this program.” Said Chief David Moore