New Year’s Eve free rides!

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It’s New Year’s Eve and once again transit system in Southern California are providing free rides to all revelers ringing in the New Year with one too many bottles of champagne.

You can always try to find a designated driver — do you know anyone in Alcoholics Anonymous who doesn’t have plans? Is there someone in your party who isn’t a reformed professional drunk and doesn’t drink? If not you can actually call for a designated driver, for a price. My Private Driver for Los Angeles will set one up, just call 310-372-4120. They are available 24/7.

If you drove to the party but get too drunk to drive (it happens all too often) call AAA for a “Tipsy Tow.” They will tow your car and you home. Dial 1 (800) 400-4AAA and tell the operator “I need a Tipsy Tow” to request a free tow of up to seven miles, restricted to the driver only.

It’s open to every one, not just members of AAA; from 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday. One free tow per caller, and the service is one way only. Beyond seven miles, the tow-truck contractor will charge the standard rate.

Tipsy Tow is available in all 13 Southern California counties served by the Auto Club. The service excludes rides for passengers and the destination is limited to the driver’s residence. Reservations are not accepted.

For the hipsters among us, let L.A. Metro be your driver — for free. They will provide 24-hour, over night service on the Metro Rail, plus the Orange and Silver Lines. Free rides will be provided from 9 p.m. Thursday Night until 2 a.m. Friday Morning.

All Metro Rail Line Stations with latched gates will have the gates open during these times.

The Orange line will operate every 20 minutes and the Silver Line every 60 minutes.

After 2 a.m. you will have to pay for the rides. A one-way fare $1.75 and covers all transfers within a two-hour period.

The Orange County Transportation Authority — OCTA — will offer free rides once again, from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. They suggest you plan your trip ahead of time by visiting their online scheduler Here. Or call 714-636-7433.

In San Diego you will still have to pay for your rides on the trolleys and buses, but most of the bus routes will run regular schedules, with expanded services on the #7 and #30 lines. You can see the schedules . You can see the extended trolley service Here.

There’s no reason to drink and drive, so don’t. New Year’s Day is the worst day for drunk driving fatalities. We could change that by taking advantage of the services provided to get to and from the parties safely.

Happy New Year!

Top photo by Claudia Gestro