WINNIPEG - December 8, 2008 – Molson and the City of Winnipeg are partnering to ensure New Year’s Eve revellers have an easy option to help them get home safely by offering free service on all Winnipeg Transit bus routes from 7:00 p.m. until end of service on December 31, 2008. Winnipeg Transit and Molson representatives today joined Deputy Mayor Justin Swandel, and a representative from Winnipeg Police Service, to announce details of the Taking You Home for the Holidays initiative.

“It’s a pleasure to support proactive solutions like this partnership, which improve safety for Winnipeg residents,” said Deputy Mayor Justin Swandel. “The City of Winnipeg commends Molson and Winnipeg Transit for helping keep our streets safer this New Year’s Eve.”

The free rides apply to all regular and handi-transit service starting at 7:00 p.m. on December 31, 2008, and continuing until end of service. (Last buses leave downtown at 1:38 a.m.)

“Winnipeg Transit is looking forward to providing Winnipeggers with this very special New Year’s Eve service courtesy of Molson,” said Dave Wardrop, Director of Winnipeg Transit. “We estimate approximately 10,000 Winnipeggers will be taking advantage of the free transit service on New Year’s Eve.”

“Molson is delighted to be partnering with Winnipeg Transit in making this initiative happen,” said Bryan Cox, Director of Government and Public Affairs for Molson. “We are proud to play our part to help people make the responsible choice to get home safely.”

“The Winnipeg Police Service encourages Winnipeggers to use this free, convenient service as a way to safely wrap up their New Year’s celebrations. Impaired driving is a crime; it’s not worth the risk, anytime,” said Chief Keith McCaskill.

The New Year’s Eve service will be promoted on buses for the month of December and on advertisements on the initiative’s media partner station Power 97.

For transit route and schedule information, users can visit www.winnipegtransit.com

WINNIPEG - December 8, 2008 – The public is advised that with snow accumulations of approximately eight centimeters on Sunday, December 7, 2008, City of Winnipeg snow clearing activities are ongoing.

Truck plowing operations on main routes started Sunday evening and have been completed. A total of 174 pieces of equipment were used in clean-up activities overnight. Truck plows are now focused on bus routes and collector streets which are expected to be completed later today. The estimated cost of this snow clearing activity is approximately $1 million.  Ongoing operations include:

• sanding of streets around-the-clock to improve traction on roadways;
• clearing of snow at intersections and bus stops by front-end loaders;
• plowing of sidewalks on main routes which is approximately 50% complete and will be followed by plowing of sidewalks on bus routes, collector streets and residential streets;
• plowing of back lanes which started this morning at 7:00 a.m. and will take place daily between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. until completed.

Plowing operations commenced in accordance with the City Council-approved Snow Cleaning and Ice Control Policy, which can be found online at www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Snow_Clearing_Policy/default.asp.

All public snow disposal sites are open.

Motorists are reminded to “drive to road conditions” and to use extreme caution when driving near any plowing or salting/sanding equipment.

The annual Snow Route Overnight Parking Ban remains in effect until March 1, 2009. Motorists should be aware that vehicles must be moved by 2:00 a.m. from streets designated as snow routes.  Citizens may to call 775-SNOW (775-7669) or go to www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks for more information.  Individuals may also sign-up online for the City of Winnipeg’s e-mail notification process regarding parking bans.