Not every holiday tradition is a good one. There’s no need to repeat the annual spike in drunk-driving apprehensions the VPD sees each December. We could also probably ease up on the extent to which consumerism has taken over Christmas. But most winter traditions are good spirit and fun.

For as long as most residents can remember, Metro Vancouver’s public-transit operator, TransLink, has come through each year with a New Year’s tradition that actually saves lives.

Tomorrow (December 31), for its 44th consecutive year, TransLink is making bus, train, and seabus rides free for the evening and into the early hours of January 1.

“TransLink continues its tradition of helping customers get a safe ride home by offering free transit on New Year’s Eve, from 5 p.m. on December 31 until 5 a.m. on January 1,” a media release reads. “In addition to free transit, customers can expect more frequent service and extended hours on buses, SkyTrain and Canada Line this New Year’s Eve. Fare gates will remain open and customers are advised not to tap Compass Cards.”

Certain routes will also run with extended hours. Check TransLink’s holiday-hours website for details.

“Additional SkyTrain staff, Transit Police and Transit Security Officers will be on the system to direct customers and assist with crowd control,” the release adds.