Waco Journal
Sunday, July 20, 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

Waco road construction closes access to Cobbs Drive from Lake Jackson, Trinity, Caldwell and Hanover drives until April 30th
Local News

Road closures begin on Clay Avenue and S. 26th Street in Waco for construction work

July 14, 2025

Waco, TX — Starting July 14, sections of Clay Avenue between South 26th Street and South 29th Street, along with...

Waco Police Department continues school supply drive with Stuff the Cruiser events
Local News

Waco Police Department continues school supply drive with Stuff the Cruiser events

July 14, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department is expressing gratitude to the community for generous donations at their recent Stuff...

Waco Fire Department assists with swiftwater rescue in McGregor, urges caution around floodwaters
Local News

Waco Fire Department assists with swiftwater rescue in McGregor, urges caution around floodwaters

July 14, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Fire Department recently responded to a swiftwater rescue call in McGregor, providing mutual aid to local...

Shark expert visits west Waco library to inspire kids during summer reading challenge
Local News

Shark expert visits west Waco library to inspire kids during summer reading challenge

July 11, 2025

Waco, TX - The West Waco-McLennan County Library hosted Matt the Shark Guy, an author, photographer, and conservationist, for an...

Waco police chief delivers keynote at state police alumni conference
Local News

Waco police chief delivers keynote at state police alumni conference

July 11, 2025

Waco, TX - Chief Sheryl Victorian served as the keynote speaker at the 33rd Texas Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association...

Waco police special crimes unit achieves high clearance rate in homicide cases
Local News

Waco police special crimes unit achieves high clearance rate in homicide cases

July 11, 2025

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department’s Special Crimes Unit has achieved a remarkable 90% clearance and arrest rate in...

Mother toId poIice she had no desire to have any more chiIdren after using a toweI to retrieve the chiId she had just deIivered from the toiIet before Ieaving him in a waste container; charged
News

Mother toId poIice she had no desire to have any more chiIdren after using a toweI to retrieve the chiId she had just deIivered from the toiIet before Ieaving him in a waste container; charged

by Nolan Harris
July 17, 2025
0

Nevada - A Nevada woman, 28-year-old TayIour, was arrested last week and charged with attempted murder and chiId abuse, negIect,...

Read moreDetails
Man kiIIed his spouse, then staged it to make it Iook like she took her own Iife, in order to prevent the woman from teIIing that their marital arrangement had been made to get him permanent residency; sentenced

Man kiIIed his spouse, then staged it to make it Iook like she took her own Iife, in order to prevent the woman from teIIing that their marital arrangement had been made to get him permanent residency; sentenced

July 17, 2025
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praises Trump’s China trade agreement

Texas official praises president’s visit amid ongoing flood recovery efforts in Kerrville

July 14, 2025
Waco road construction closes access to Cobbs Drive from Lake Jackson, Trinity, Caldwell and Hanover drives until April 30th

Road closures begin on Clay Avenue and S. 26th Street in Waco for construction work

July 14, 2025
Waco Police Department continues school supply drive with Stuff the Cruiser events

Waco Police Department continues school supply drive with Stuff the Cruiser events

July 14, 2025
Mother toId poIice she had no desire to have any more chiIdren after using a toweI to retrieve the chiId she had just deIivered from the toiIet before Ieaving him in a waste container; charged

Mother toId poIice she had no desire to have any more chiIdren after using a toweI to retrieve the chiId she had just deIivered from the toiIet before Ieaving him in a waste container; charged

by Nolan Harris
July 17, 2025
0

Nevada - A Nevada woman, 28-year-old TayIour, was arrested last week and charged with attempted murder and chiId abuse, negIect,...

Man kiIIed his spouse, then staged it to make it Iook like she took her own Iife, in order to prevent the woman from teIIing that their marital arrangement had been made to get him permanent residency; sentenced

Man kiIIed his spouse, then staged it to make it Iook like she took her own Iife, in order to prevent the woman from teIIing that their marital arrangement had been made to get him permanent residency; sentenced

by Nolan Harris
July 17, 2025
0

Georgia - A Georgia man was sentenced on Wednesday to Iife in prison without the possIbiIity of paroIe after being...

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praises Trump’s China trade agreement

Texas official praises president’s visit amid ongoing flood recovery efforts in Kerrville

by Nolan Harris
July 14, 2025
0

Texas - The Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller addressed President Trump’s recent visit to Kerrville, emphasizing the importance of leadership...

Waco road construction closes access to Cobbs Drive from Lake Jackson, Trinity, Caldwell and Hanover drives until April 30th

Road closures begin on Clay Avenue and S. 26th Street in Waco for construction work

by Nolan Harris
July 14, 2025
0

Waco, TX — Starting July 14, sections of Clay Avenue between South 26th Street and South 29th Street, along with...

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

  • Mother toId poIice she had no desire to have any more chiIdren after using a toweI to retrieve the chiId she had just deIivered from the toiIet before Ieaving him in a waste container; charged
  • Man kiIIed his spouse, then staged it to make it Iook like she took her own Iife, in order to prevent the woman from teIIing that their marital arrangement had been made to get him permanent residency; 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