For the first time in more than 30 years, the TTC will be offering free rides to passengers on New Year's Eve.
Riders won't have to pay a fare between midnight and 4 a.m. The decision came at a transit meeting at city hall on Thursday afternoon.
The commission hasn't offered the free Dec. 31 service since the mid-1970s because of the cost.
The four hours of free service will cost the transit body about $80,000, and comes at a time when the TTC is facing an $11-million deficit.
But Giambrone says the initiative "is the right thing to do" because it will prevent drinking and driving.
"I think that everyone agrees that on New Year's Eve, when you're out celebrating, the TTC is the better way to go," he told CTV News.
Giambrone noted the TTC will be looking for a corporate sponsor for the program.
Commuters said they were thrilled about the plan.
"I think it's an absolute superb idea -- we'll probably save more than $80,000 dollars in traffic accidents," said one woman.
"I come from Halifax and that's what (our transit system) does there on New Year's Eve, so I think it's a real good idea," said one tourist.
MADD Canada supports the idea, as do Toronto police, who say drivers still aren't getting the message about drinking and driving.
Police charged six motorists with impaired driving in the first five days of its annual holiday RIDE program.
With a report from CTV's Naomi Parness
