By Christopher Byline | Fringe-topic specialist

Bass Lake area’s “Free Ride Home” shuttle service on New Year’s Eve has been deemed a success, thanks in part to its most recent participant.

The final passenger who took advantage of the special “say no to driving” holiday-taxi has been delivered safely to his doorstep, just over three months after a night of revelry at Cornerbar Lounge, 4545 Old State Roadway North.

Brig Stratton, 28, boarded the “drunk-van” at 2:45 a.m. Jan 1., and disembarked at 5 p.m. April 2.

Stratton expressed appreciation for the public service.

“Thank God I’m alive,” Stratton said. “Sure, my house is in foreclosure, they towed my car from the bar parking lot then sold it at auction, I lost my job and my wife left me. But it’s all worth it to keep our highways drunk-free.”