Here Are Free Rides For New Year's Eve

by Aaron Cole

Updated: November 18th, 2020 Published: December 31st, 2015

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)

#Buses #DrinkingAndDriving #LawEnforcement #NewYear'sEve

Aaron Cole

More by Aaron Cole

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 5 comments

Cameron Aubernon on Dec 31, 2015

Brown-Forman is offering $15 vouchers good for getting you home in Louisville: www.saferideky.com

Like Reply
Kmoney on Dec 31, 2015

Vancouver, BC: Operation Red Nose (1-877-604-NOSE). Free transit after 5, as well I think.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Theflyersfan My dad had a 1998 C280 that was rock solid reliable until around 80,000 miles and then it wasn't. Corey might develop a slight right eyelid twitch right about now, but it started with a sunroof that leaked. And the water likely damaged some electric components because soon after the leaks developed, the sunroof stopped working. And then the electrical gremlins took hold. Displays that flickered at times, lights that sometimes decided illumination was for wimps so stayed home, and then the single wiper issue. That thing decided to eat motors. He loved that car but knew when to fold the hand. So he bought a lightly used, off lease E-class. Had that for less than two years before he was ready to leave it in South Philly, keys in the ignition, doors unlocked, and a "Take it please" sign on the windshield. He won't touch another Benz now.
Detlump A lot of people buy SUVs because they're easier to get in and out of. After decades of longer, lower, wider it was refreshing to have easier ingress/egress offered by an SUV.Ironically, the ease of getting in and out of my Highlander is very similar to my 56 Cadillac.
Redapple2 LP Michigan. Long straights. A long sweeper. 2 chicanes. 4 hard turns. Lenghts of each element are different but similar to LeMans.
Teddyc73 Doesn't matter, out of control Democrats will still do everything they can to force us to drive them.
Teddyc73 Look at that dreary lifeless color scheme. The dull grey and black wheels and trim is infecting the auto world like a disease. Americans are living in grey houses with grey interiors driving look a like boring grey cars with black interiors and working in grey buildings with grey interiors. America is turning into a living black and white movie.