FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

DULUTH - The Duluth Transit Authority is acting as a designated driver this New Year's Eve.

The DTA and Fond-du-Luth Casino are partnering up for the Play it Safe campaign to give free rides to Northlanders celebrating in the Twin Ports.

Rides will be free after 5:00 p.m. and will run as late as 2:00 a.m..

"There is a lot of activity in the downtown area and we think this provides an alternative to driving," Duluth Transit Authority General Manager Dennis Jensen said. "Having a designated driver, sometimes that doesn't always work if the driver wants to come home early or maybe the driver wants to party as well."

Last year the DTA transported more than 6,000 people on New Year's Eve.

Seven-hundred of them rode during late evening hours.