Here Are Free Rides For New Year's Eve

It’s New Year’s Eve, which means I’m terrified of getting on the roads past 6 p.m. and many law enforcement agencies will be on the streets en masse to bust motorists who’ve had a tee many martoonies.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal traffic crashes involving alcohol spike in December around the holidays; on average, one person was killed in a fatal drunk driving crash every 57 minutes in 2014, according to the safety agency.

Which means, if you’re going to party, let’s find you a ride first.

Many major metro areas are offering free bus services starting at various hours. Here, at TTAC’s Denver bureau, RTD began free bus and light rail service at 7 a.m. continuing through New Year’s Day.

I realize that many of you don’t live in Denver, so here’s a list of the top 25 major metro areas in the U.S. and their public transportation systems, including applicable promotions for party goers.

• New York City, MTA
• Los Angeles, LA Metro (free from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.)
• Chicago, CTA (free from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
• Dallas, DART (free from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.)
• Houston, METRO (free from 6 p.m.)
• Philadelphia, SEPTA
• Washington DC, METRO (free from midnight to 3 a.m.)
• Miami, Metrobus
• Atlanta, Marta
• Boston, MBTA (free after 8 p.m.)
• San Francisco, SMFTA (free from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.), BART
• Phoenix, Valley Metro
• Riverside, California, RTA
• Detroit, SMART
• Seattle, King County Metro Transit
• Minneapolis, Metro Transit (free from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.)
• San Diego, MTS
• Tampa, Florida, HART (the streetcar free from 7 p.m.)
• St. Louis, Metro Transit
• Baltimore, MTA
• Denver (See above)
• Charlotte, North Carolina, CATS
• Pittsburgh, Port Authority
• Portland, Oregon, TriMet (Free after 8 p.m.)
• San Antonio, VIA

Of course, you may not live in or near one of the other cities, but I’m guessing there’s probably a bus or shuttle service nearby. And if there isn’t, you could always call up an Uber or Lyft — or even just a good ol’ taxi.

Basically, what I’m saying is here are at least 30 reasons not to drink and drive tonight.

(If you do know of a helpful service area, or want to correct one of my entries, leave a comment. — Aaron)