Major holiday events where transport is not provided by the organisers are a recipe for disaster, an alcohol and drugs expert warned yesterday.

Anthony Santucci, chairman of substance abuse charity CADA, declined to comment on specific events — but he said that licence conditions for all major parties in the future should include provision of transport for partygoers to cut down on the risk of drinking and driving.

He added: “There has to be some sort of social responsibility.”

And Mr Santucci said: “If you’re going to be putting on a major event over the holiday weekend you have a responsibility to make sure your patrons get home safely.”

Mr Santucci spoke out after it was revealed that Cup Match revellers at the huge Soca versus Reggae event at Snorkel Park in Dockyard will have to rely on taxis and designated drivers to get them home.

The event runs from 10pm to 3am and features a $150 all-inclusive option, which includes access to an open bar.

But, unlike some previous years, there will be no special late ferry service or buses. The last bus will leave Dockyard at 10.20pm and the last ferry at 9pm.

Concerns were raised by CADA last week that the open bar could cause people to drink to excess, and that a lack of organised transportation could tempt partygoers to drink and drive.

Snorkel Park owner Tom Steinhoff confirmed that extra ferries and buses had been run in conjunction with previous events.

He said: “This is something we always encourage promoters to do with these big parties.”

Organiser and promoter Vejay Steede added: “A ferry from the city is not feasible for us this year, and, having not used a ferry since 2010, we felt it unnecessary as well.

“Taxi drivers have always known about Soca versus Reggae and have made themselves available where necessary in the past.

“Also, hotel guests have often had transport arranged prior to their arrival at our event.”

Mr Steede said: “The Soca versus Reggae organisers have always made every effort to ensure the safety and comfort of our patrons before, during, and after our yearly official Cup Match After-party event.”

He added: “As always, we encourage our patrons to use the designated driver system when travelling to and from our event, as well as any other place they may travel over the entire Cup Match holiday.

“Furthermore, we encourage moderation and responsible consumption of alcohol during any and all Cup Match festivities.

“The bartenders at our event are, and always have been, professional persons, and they will not hesitate to regulate alcohol consumption if necessary.

“Soca versus Reggae has always been a responsible event, designed and executed for responsible people.”

And Mr Steede added: “We are confident that 2014 will mark eight consecutive years of incident free travel to and from the premier party event of the Cup Match holiday for our patrons.

“We encourage all to come, enjoy the festivities responsibly, and make arrangements to get home safely, as there’s nothing better than a safe Cup Match in Bermuda.”

Bermuda Police Service Chief Inspector Calvin Smith said that the private sector would fill in the gaps left by public transport.

He added: “I think normally the helping agencies do a pretty good job of that. For the better part, I think the designated driver system has caught on.

“In the event that people do choose to drink and drive the police will have regular checks and patrols in the area.”

And Ch Insp Smith said: “We always work with the organisers when it comes to events like that.

“Obviously our interest will be public safety and making sure everything runs smoothly, in accordance with their liquor licence.”

General admission to the event is $65.

CADA will release a full statement in conjunction with the Bermuda Police Service at the annual pre-Cup Match police conference today.