How to Get a Free Ride Home for New Year's Eve, Depending on Your State

What's New

A number of governments and organizations across the country are hoping to stamp out drunken driving by offering free rides home from New Year's Eve celebrations.

Why It Matters

New Year's Eve is one of the highest-risk days of the year on roads, due in part to drunken and impaired driving caused by increased consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs.

What To Know

The National Safety Council estimates that around 179 people will die in auto accidents during the New Year's holiday period, beginning at 6 p.m. December 31 and lasting throughout New Year's Day on January 1.

Does Uber or Lyft Offer Free Rides on New Year's Eve?

While neither Uber nor Lyft are directly offering free rides on New Year's Eve, a variety of groups peppered throughout the country are attempting to prevent drunken driving by offering vouchers that can be used with the ride-share companies on New Year's Eve. Free bus and train rides are being offered in many more areas.

A man's hand is pictured holding car keys and a glass of alcohol in this undated file photo. Local governments and private organizations are offering free rides on New Year's Eve as part of an... aaron007

Where Are Free Rides Available?

The following is a list of some of the areas across the country where free rides are being offered using public transportation on New Year's Eve:

• Dallas: The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system is offering free rides as part of a Coors-sponsored program this year. Rides on buses and trains will be available beginning at 6 p.m. December 31.
• Chicago: Free rides will be offered on trains and buses through the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) from 10 p.m. New Year's Eve until 4 a.m. January 1.
• New York City: Subway rides will be free from 11:59 p.m. New Year's Eve until 6 a.m. New Year's Day.
• Charlotte, North Carolina: Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses, trains and streetcars will offer free rides from 5 a.m. December 31 until 2 a.m. January 1.
• Denver: Free rides will be available through Denver's Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus and rail lines between 7 p.m. New Year's Eve until 7 a.m. New Year's Day.
• San Francisco: The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will provide free rides from 8 p.m. New Year's Eve through 5 a.m. January 1.
• Los Angeles: Los Angeles Metro will offer free bus and train rides from 9 p.m. December 31 until 2 a.m. New Year's Day.
• Milwaukee: Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) buses and trains will be offering free rides from 8 p.m. December 31 to 4 a.m. January 1.
• Washington, D.C.: Buses and trains operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will be free from 11 p.m. New Year's Eve until 1:59 a.m. the following morning.
• Phoenix: Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority bus and rail lines will be free from 7 p.m. December 31 until at least 2 a.m. January 1.
• Las Vegas: The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is offering free rides on all bus routes from 6 p.m. New Year's Eve until 9 a.m. New Year's Day.

A limited number of free vouchers and coupons that can be used for New Year's Eve rides with companies like Uber and Lyft are being offered by several municipalities and private groups in many states. Here is a small selection:

• Maryland: The State's Attorney's Office for Charles County is giving away $15 off coupon codes as part of a holiday season "Drive Sober" campaign. The coupon will be valid from 6 p.m. New Year's Eve until 6 a.m. New Year's Day.
• Virginia: The Drive Safe Hampton Roads coalition is offering $15 Lyft passes to impaired drivers on New Year's Eve. The Richmond-based law firm Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is offering a limited number of $25 Lyft vouchers.
• Washington, D.C.: The Washington Regional Alcohol Program will offer $15 Lyft codes at 9 p.m. December 31.
• California: Wells Call Injury Lawyers is offering a small number of $25 reimbursements for Uber, Lyft or taxi rides on New Year's Eve within Solano County.
• Ohio: Law firm Lawrence & Associates is offering Cincinnati residents 21 and over $25 Uber vouchers for use on New Year's Eve.

What People Are Saying

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said in a press release announcing a matching donation partnership with Uber this month: "Impaired driving is 100% preventable, and with options like Uber readily available, there is no excuse to drive impaired. Research shows that Uber's presence in cities has contributed to a reduction in alcohol-related fatalities."

What Happens Next

Additional programs and offers for free transportation on New Year's Eve may be available throughout the country. Regardless of the availability of free rides, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains illegal in every state.