Waco Journal
Sunday, September 14, 2025
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
No Result
View All Result

Waco’s ‘Safe Ride Home’ service canceled amidst COVID-19 concerns

by Gavin Wright
January 3, 2021
in Local News
Waco’s ‘Safe Ride Home’ service canceled amidst COVID-19 concerns

WACO, TX– For the last 15 years, the “Safe Ride Home” service provided by the Waco Transit System has given Wacoans a safe alternative to driving drunk on New Year’s Eve.

In typical 2020 fashion, it’s one more thing canceled this year due to COVID-19 concerns.

“Normally, we would have a number of drivers available starting at about 6:00 in the evening to about 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. Available for anyone in the community that goes out and celebrates and needs a ride home,” says Charles Parham, the Waco Transit Systems Director of Operations.

Parham says they get over 100 calls each New Year’s Eve for rides home, and estimates the service has prevented thousands of potentially dangerous drunk driving situations in the city.

The “Safe Ride Home” drivers are normally drivers for the transit system volunteering their time. The fear is if they get exposed to the virus New Year’s Eve, they could spread it while on their daily routes and to the community.

“We are available for the people that need our service in their daily lives,” Parham said. “We didn’t want to risk not having enough people to support our primary mission.”

The decision to cancel the service this year is also a strategic one – as they hope to keep people safe in a different way.

“Part of our decision was, if us not providing the service went into the people’s planning process about going out or whether or not to go out, and it kind of persuaded them not to go out this year. We kind of figured that was a good thing,” Parham said.

Without the service, police want people to think before celebrating.

“Don’t drink and drive,” says Sgt. Peter Mottley, of the Waco Police Department. “If you do go and drink, I think you should plan ahead and always designate a sober person to drive.”

Related Posts

Woman who cIaimed the father of her baby threatened to harm her and she acted in seIf-defense when he charged at her after she kiIIed the man while he was Iying on the fIoor covered with a bIanket, was sentenced
Local News

Woman who cIaimed the father of her baby threatened to harm her and she acted in seIf-defense when he charged at her after she kiIIed the man while he was Iying on the fIoor covered with a bIanket, was sentenced

September 13, 2025

California - A California woman was ordered to spend the next thirty five years behind bars for the murder of...

Waco Fire Department took part in a 9/11 Stair Climb
Local News

Waco Fire Department took part in a 9/11 Stair Climb

September 12, 2025

Waco, TX - Waco firefighters paused on Wednesday morning to pay tribute to the lives lost in the September 11...

TxDOT to close New Road under I-35 for bridge removal as part of construction project
Local News

TxDOT to close New Road under I-35 for bridge removal as part of construction project

September 12, 2025

Waco, TX - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced that it will remove the northbound I-35 bridge over New...

Applications are open for the WPD Junior Police Academy, police officials say
Local News

Waco police seek faith-based organizations to host events during Faith & Blue weekend

September 12, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department announced that it is seeking local faith-based organizations to partner with them during...

Waco Fire Department holds promotions and badge pinning ceremony
Local News

Waco Fire Department holds promotions and badge pinning ceremony

September 9, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Fire Department celebrated the promotion of Devon McPherson to captain at Station 8 in a...

Waco celebrates first anniversary of Pet Circle Regional Animal Center
Local News

Waco celebrates first anniversary of Pet Circle Regional Animal Center

September 9, 2025

Waco, TX — The Pet Circle Regional Animal Center marked its first anniversary with a birthday bash over the past...

Woman dies while trying to help another femaIe stop or de-escaIate the aItercation with her partner, after a struggIe in which the man gained controI of a firearm she puIIed out when he brandished a utiIity tooI and kiIIed her: police
News

Woman dies while trying to help another femaIe stop or de-escaIate the aItercation with her partner, after a struggIe in which the man gained controI of a firearm she puIIed out when he brandished a utiIity tooI and kiIIed her: police

by Nolan Harris
September 13, 2025
0

Pennsylvania - A Pennsylvania man was arrested and charged with the fataI shooting of 33-year-old L. Jeardine outside store in Pennsylvania....

Read moreDetails
Woman who cIaimed the father of her baby threatened to harm her and she acted in seIf-defense when he charged at her after she kiIIed the man while he was Iying on the fIoor covered with a bIanket, was sentenced

Woman who cIaimed the father of her baby threatened to harm her and she acted in seIf-defense when he charged at her after she kiIIed the man while he was Iying on the fIoor covered with a bIanket, was sentenced

September 13, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott announces winners of 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Awards

September 12, 2025
Commissioner Miller urges public to comment on seafood industry regulations

Commissioner Miller urges public to comment on seafood industry regulations

September 12, 2025
Texas DPS welcomes Class C-2025 recruits to trooper training

Texas DPS welcomes Class C-2025 recruits to trooper training

September 12, 2025
Woman dies while trying to help another femaIe stop or de-escaIate the aItercation with her partner, after a struggIe in which the man gained controI of a firearm she puIIed out when he brandished a utiIity tooI and kiIIed her: police

Woman dies while trying to help another femaIe stop or de-escaIate the aItercation with her partner, after a struggIe in which the man gained controI of a firearm she puIIed out when he brandished a utiIity tooI and kiIIed her: police

by Nolan Harris
September 13, 2025
0

Pennsylvania - A Pennsylvania man was arrested and charged with the fataI shooting of 33-year-old L. Jeardine outside store in Pennsylvania....

Woman who cIaimed the father of her baby threatened to harm her and she acted in seIf-defense when he charged at her after she kiIIed the man while he was Iying on the fIoor covered with a bIanket, was sentenced

Woman who cIaimed the father of her baby threatened to harm her and she acted in seIf-defense when he charged at her after she kiIIed the man while he was Iying on the fIoor covered with a bIanket, was sentenced

by Nolan Harris
September 13, 2025
0

California - A California woman was ordered to spend the next thirty five years behind bars for the murder of...

Governor Greg Abbott announces $17.3 million grant to SpaceX for expansion of semiconductor R&D facility in Bastrop

Governor Abbott announces winners of 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Awards

by Nolan Harris
September 12, 2025
0

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott announced the 2025 recipients of the Lex Frieden Employment Awards (LFEA), which recognize businesses and...

Commissioner Miller urges public to comment on seafood industry regulations

Commissioner Miller urges public to comment on seafood industry regulations

by Nolan Harris
September 12, 2025
0

Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller highlighted an opportunity for residents to influence the future of the American seafood...

About Us

A community needs news and Waco Journal is proud to serve 50,000 households each month through our website covering Waco and the other local counties.

Learn more

Recent Stories

  • Woman dies while trying to help another femaIe stop or de-escaIate the aItercation with her partner, after a struggIe in which the man gained controI of a firearm she puIIed out when he brandished a utiIity tooI and kiIIed her: police
  • Woman who cIaimed the father of her baby threatened to harm her and she acted in seIf-defense when he charged at her after she kiIIed the man while he was Iying on the fIoor covered with a bIanket, was sentenced

Categories

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
Currently Playing

© 2023 Waco Journal

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result