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Transit running during holidays, but alcohol a no-go

Whistler buses free on New Year's Eve

Although Squamish Transit will not run buses on Christmas, Boxing or New Year’s Days or Jan. 2, Whistler’s transit service will stick to regular schedules through the holidays with extended service on New Year’s Eve.

In addition, the Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE) will offer free bus service on New Year’s Eve, beginning at 6 p.m. and running until 3 a.m. Drivers will take a dinner break between 11 p.m. and midnight, said Scott Pass, the systems’ general manager. Pemberton buses will adhere to regularly scheduled runs throughout the holidays, he added.

Pass reminded riders that alcohol is not allowed on the buses.

There will be four times the normal number of officers patrolling Whistler Village on New Year’s Eve to reinforce transit’s stance, and at least four officers will be positioned at the gondola transit exchange on Blackcomb Way, according to RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Marc Lavergne.

Officers will be on hand to greet buses arriving at the village bus loop and will issue $100 tickets for any confiscated open liquor. Lavergne said police are also discouraging bringing unopened liquor into the village but it will be the officers’ decision whether to confiscate unopened liquor.

“If it’s mom and dad coming back with a bottle of wine to go their hotel room we’ll use our discretionary powers, but if it’s something that gains our attention then we need to address that with the people that have the liquor,” Lavergne said.