Friday night Christmas do? Auckland buses and trains will be free to combat drink driving

December 18, 2018
Training arriving on platform 1 at Britomart Train Station

All Auckland trains and buses will be free of charge Friday evening as part of an effort to reduce drink driving.

The Friday before Christmas is typically one of the worst days of the year for drink driving, Auckland Transport noted today in its announcement.

"If we can provide a free, easy public transport journey home, then it means there's no need to drive at all," said Stacey Van Der Putten, the transport agency's group manager for metro service delivery. "You can have a drink after work, and you don't even have to think about the car, just get the bus or the train."

The free rides will start at 4pm, with train station gates opened and tagging machines turned off on buses. Rides that start before 4pm but end after will still be charged.

Auckland Transport said the new initiative after the agency met with police to figure out ways in which they can work better together to fight drink driving.

"If you are in any doubt at all about being safe or legal to drive after drinking - don't drive," said Tamaki Makaurau Road Policing Manager Inspector Scott Webb. "It's vital you look after your mates. Make sure you have a plan to get home safely."

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