Extra Police Patrols, Free Buses for New Year’s Eve

The Waukesha Police Department will have extra patrols on New Years Eve in preparation of drunken driving, fight and loud noise calls, Capt. Ron Tischer said in an e-mail.

Any problems could be at different times due to the bars being open all night, Tischer said. It also means there isn't the usual "influx" of calls because of the different times people are driving or at bars.

"We normally have a lot of noise complaints right around or right after midnight," Tischer said. "There's a lot of people in the city that don't partake in celebrating New Year's, so those people all in complaints on those that are celebrating."

To avoid problems with intoxicated drivers, is partnering with Miller Lite for Miller Lite Free Rides. The bus system will be free New Year's Eve, including routes between Waukesha and Milwaukee. The program has been operating in the metro Milwaukee area for more than 30 years, according to a news release.

"The holidays are a time to celebrate, and we hope consumers who choose to enjoy our great beers will also make the responsible choice to get home safely," Diane Wagner, alcohol responsibility manager for MillerCoors, said in the news release.

Buses run free in Milwaukee from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and in Waukesha from 7 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve.

Schedules are available on the Waukesha Metro Transit's website, www.waukeshametro.org, by calling 1-800-FREE-RIDES (1-800-373-3743), visiting www.MillerLiteFreeRides.com,or texting "BUS" to 30364.