County cancels New Year’s Eve taxi

Ozaukee County will not operate its New Year’s Eve taxi service “due to safety and logistical concerns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” county officials announced last week in a press release.

The announcement came after the county Public Works Committee voted to cancel the service, which the county has offered through its Shared Ride Taxi Service since 2006.

“I don’t think we should encourage people to be going out on New Year’s Eve” because of the hazards of the coronavirus, Supr. David Henrichs said.

The service has been offered in past years from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1, typically providing 250 rides at a cost of $1,000, usually paid for by sponsors, Transit Supt. Joy Neilson-Loomis told committee members.

“Transit has been unable to secure sponsorship this year. The ongoing pandemic has raised additional concerns, including being able to staff the event and the need for disinfecting vehicles afterwards,” she said. 

Regular taxi service will still be available on Thursday, Dec. 31 from 5 a.m. to  11:30 p.m. 

Plans call for resuming the New Year’s Eve service next year.