Operation Red Nose has wrapped up for another season and this year volunteers provided almost 200 more rides to holiday revelers in Delta and Richmond.

The 2010 campaign was capped off in the early morning hours of Jan. 1 as volunteers ferried people and their vehicles home from New Year's Eve festivities.

"What a night it was," said longtime volunteer Carlene Lewall.

This holiday season proved a busy one for the program with a total of 650 rides, almost 200 more than in 2009. Recently implemented tougher impaired driving penalties in B.C. are believed to be the primary reason for the increase.

The final night was a long one for Operation Red Nose volunteers, with the last team returning to headquarters after the final ride of the night at 6:15 a.m. on New Year's Day.

"It was a long night but enjoyed by all," Lewall said.

Volunteers gathered for a roast beef dinner before heading out for the final night.

"We really appreciated all the volunteers who helped make this season the best ever and thank you to everyone who choose to use Operation Red Nose and donate generously," Lewall said.

The program raised more than $17,000, which will help the Delta Gymnastics Society buy equipment for the new Delta Sport Development Centre, which is slated to open in Ladner later this year.

Operation Red Nose was launched in Quebec City in 1984 and has since spread across the country. It is a free service offered on Friday and Saturday nights during the holiday season and typically runs from the last weekend in November until New Year's Eve.

This year in Delta-Richmond, 361 volunteers traveled 21,509 kilometres.