Record numbers of Benzie county residents took advantage of a free bus service on New Year’s Eve this year.
Benzie Bus first started offering New Years Eve rides in 2017, but the service was put on hold for two years during the pandemic.
The Nite Owl Shuttle is a curb-to-curb service, bringing passengers from their homes to a bar or house party, and back again.
Five buses gave rides to 252 people this past New Year's Eve – a new record for Benzie Bus.
“Most of the people were definitely in good spirits – the later ones, especially,” said Tony Dunne, the dispatch and mobility manager with Benzie Bus.
“Slightly drunk here and there, but extremely happy that they could go out and didn't have to worry about driving home,” Dunne said.
Dunne says Nite Owl Shuttles are also offered on Halloween, and don’t cost passengers a dime.
“It’s paid through other funding and through local bars, who see the need,” said Dunne. “There have been a few horrific accidents here in our county and the neighboring counties over the last few months, which I think might have helped with the ridership because people are seeing how dangerous it actually is.”
Benzie Bus is already making plans for next New Year’s Eve.
Dunne said he’d like to make drink coasters advertising the service, so when people reach the bottom of a glass, they know who to call.
And he’s hopeful that Benzie Bus will surpass the 300 rider mark to ring in 2024.
