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Local bar recognized for customer shuttle service
Bar in New Glasgow recognized by area group for efforts to see that patrons have safe ride home
A local business’s efforts to get people home safely at the end of night has been recognized for its efforts.
The Thistle Bar and Grill was presented a plaque by the Pictou County Municipal Alcohol Project Working Group Tuesday for introducing a “safe drive home” initiative as a service to its customers.
“It was noted at one of our meetings that the Thistle Bar and Grill had a ‘safe drive home’ service and we thought we should champion some of our businesses or otherwise that are demonstrating safe practices in terms of alcohol,” said Clyde Fraser of the Pictou County Municipal Alcohol Project Working Group.
Thistle owner Trevor Murphy said the shuttle service has taken thousands of people home after an evening at his bar.
“We start the shuttle at 5 p.m. and you can text that number. It runs five days a week and he will pick you up at your house and he brings you here for free. You can text him when you want to leave and he will pick you here.”
The service is offered free of charge, but Murphy said if people feel obligated to tip, they can provide a gratuity to the driver.
The Pictou County Municipal Alcohol Project Working Group is made up of municipal leaders, Pictou Landing First Nations representatives, as well as the Nova Scotia Health Authority staff who work to understand and address alcohol related community harms. Its mandate is to support strong and prosperous communities where moderate- to low-risk alcohol use is the accepted norm.
In 2012, the Union of Nova Municipalities board of directors passed a motion to continue on with the provincial project and in May 2013, municipal leaders requested a policy guide be developed and a local municipal alcohol policy be implemented.