NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It can be difficult to get a ride in a community with little access to forms of public transportation. Especially on a holiday night that is known more for merriment than sober judgment.

 

That dilemma was solved for more than 50 partygoers on New Year's Eve by Northern Berkshire Emergency Medical Services.

 

The ambulance company's van transport service was put into operation for the evening to provide rides to and from events for those who didn't want to take a chance driving — and running into "big blue" (police) or needing a "big red" (fire truck), said Assistant Chief Amalio Jusino.

 

"They were so nice, everybody was so appreciative," he said of residents taking advantage of the service, which ran from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. "We thought it would be simple and it was." 

 

The number of people taking using the free rides was a little surprising mainly because the notification of availability wasn't posted on Facebook until mid-afternoon on New Year's Eve. But it was quickly picked up and shared 400 to 500 times. 

 

Jusino said the idea had come up in conversation with General Manager John Meaney Jr., who was amenable to trying it if the non-profit company's insurance provider was on board and if drivers were willing to work. Both were a yes. 

 

"To me, these are the heroes last night. They transported over 50 people with 21 calls for service in 90 minutes," he posted on the service's Facebook page on New Year's Day. "I promise you they saved an individual or family from tragedy by being available."

 

Four transport vans were put into service along with Jusino's own 12-person van. The company also partnered with the Bennington County Sheriff's Department in Vermont in case rides were needed in Bennington to Pownal. 

 

"The chair van drivers were under the age of 21," Jusino said. "It was nice to see the teenagers made a decision to do this rather than go out to party ... They got tips and people were very appreciative."

 

He made a couple runs to Adams, picking up about nine people both times from the PNA, the Grille and house parties. Some called for rides home, others planned ahead and asked for rides to and from their event. The bulk of the calls were made between midnight and 1:30 a.m., but there were some stragglers. 

 

This was the first year the ambulance service could offer rides. Village Ambulance brought along the medical van service when it merged with North Adams Ambulance a year ago. Jusino believes it went well enough to become a tradition.

 

"I think it will be something we continually do," he said. "We just wanted to decrease the number of people on the road."