Martin police to offer Safety Bus rides to New Year’s revelers

MARTIN, Tenn. — Anyone in Martin planning on ringing in the new year with a little holiday cheer won’t have to worry about catching a ride home — they can take the bus.

For the 14th year, the Martin Police Department Safety Bus will be providing rides from around 8 p.m. Thursday until around 3:30 a.m., according to a police department release.

If a person needs a ride, all they need to do is call the police department at 731-587-5355. No one should call 911 unless there is an emergency.

The bus will be making scheduled stops throughout the night at all local taverns in the Martin city limits.

“We’ll also have extra patrol officers on the streets doing foot patrols in the busy areas to keep citizens safe for the holiday,” Chief Don Teal states in the release. “We simply don’t want anyone to be hurt due to someone drinking and driving.”

The bus was given to the city of Martin in 2000 by the U.S. Air Force.

Volunteer Distributors is a partner with the city of Martin in providing the service through the purchase of fuel, advertising and sign displays in an attempt to provide everyone a safe ride. More than 1,800 citizens have used this service in the last 13 years, according to the release.