More road checks, police patrols in Vancouver this New Year's Eve

TransLink braces for busy New Year's Eve Fare gates at SkyTrain and SeaBus stations will be open and free from 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 5 a.m. New Year's Day.

Vancouver police are reminding New Year's Eve revellers to party responsibly on Tuesday night – particularly if they're thinking about getting behind the wheel.

Const. Tania Visintin said there will be approximately 100 extra officers deployed across the city's downtown core to ensure public safety, and CounterAttack road checks will be set up at various undisclosed locations to catch impaired drivers.

"If you're going to celebrate tonight, do so safely," Visintin said. "Have a designated driver if you will be drinking."

As in previous years, TransLink is helping people make good choices this New Year's Eve by offering free transit – on buses, SkyTrains and SeaBuses – between 5 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday.

There will be additional buses on certain routes, and SkyTrain service will operate on an extended weekday schedule, with the last trains departing shortly after 2 a.m.

While there are no public performances or fireworks displays planned this New Year's Eve – as there haven't been since before the COVID-19 pandemic – authorities are still expecting large crowds to congregate downtown, particularly at bars and private events.

Visintin said with that many people gathered, and often drinking alcohol, it's "inevitable" that some issues will arise that require police attention.

"Any time we do have large crowds coming into the city – whether it be for New Year's Eve, fireworks, Halloween, St. Patrick's Day – we always do anticipate there will be issues," she said. "It's a given, that's why we do have extra officers deployed."

With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kraig Krause