Long-running Operation Red Nose ride service may stay parked this holiday season in Winnipeg

A program that offers Winnipeggers safe rides home during the holiday season may not have enough money to operate come December, organizers say.

Operation Red Nose a free service that has aims to curb drinking and driving by havingvolunteer drivers pick up Winnipeggers and takethem homein their own vehiclelost its long-time charity partner, Manta Swim Club, earlier this year.

This upcoming season,the programwas set to run Fridays and Saturdays starting Nov. 29, as well as on New Year's Eve.

But volunteer media liaison Elisha Daceysaid those plans may be in jeopardy unless theservicegets a big cash injection.

Up To Speed6:16Holiday safe ride program Operation Red Nose may be parked this year

Winnipeg's Operation Red Nose has hit a major speed bump this year. Host Faith Fundal spoke with Operation Red Nose media liaisonElisha Dacey about what it will take to get the program on the road again.

"When the old charity decided to go, they took a lot of their assets with them," Dacey told Up to Speed host Faith Fundal on Wednesday.

"We need to replace technology especially our phones, [which] are pretty ancient. Our app needs a serious upgrade, and then, of course, space for the volunteers and all sorts of incidentals," like gas, she said.

Program not financially viable: swim club

Red Nose technically offers rides for free it can't charge a fee so asnot run afoul of the city's taxi policies. Donations are accepted for rides, but all of those donations go toRed Nose'spartnercharity.

Operation Red Nose has been running in Winnipeg since Manta Swim Clubbrought the program to the city in 1995, and the club provided volunteers to help keep Red Noserunning.

But the swim club said its revenues fromRed Nose haddeclined over the years, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to find volunteers willing to drive late nights.

Manta SwimClub director Bo West told CBC the organization notified Red Noseabout thedecision in March.

West said he wishes Operation Red Nose well, and that he's encouraging members to volunteer even if they don't have an official relationship.

Dacey said that while Red Nose has partnered with a new organization the Winnipeg Kids Foundation it's abrand new arrangement with a relatively new group, andthere is still a steep learning curve.

"We had to park during the pandemic and the response that we got from people when they found out that we weren't driving, people were pretty sad and upset," she said.

"We really hope that Winnipeg can help us so that we can keep going this year."