To help people ring in the new year safely, Winnipeg Transit is offering free rides this New Year's Eve.

Starting Sunday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m., regular and Handi-Transit service will be free for all riders. Because Transit is operating on a Sunday schedule, there may be fewer buses than normal, but Transit has added additional buses that will finish leaving downtown around 1:30 a.m.

Routes between 12:15 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. cannot be found on Transit's normal trip planning tools, but you can check out the schedule online.

"We all want to start 2018 on a safe and happy note," said Ward Keith, vice-president of Business Development and Communications at Manitoba Public Insurance. "Planning ahead before heading out is important.

Last year, more than 15,000 Winnipeggers used the Free Ride program on New Year's Eve and early New Year's Day.