Portlanders can get discounts on taxi, Lyft, and Uber rides for New Year's Eve through the Safe Ride Home program, helping reduce impaired driving. The program offers up to $20 off taxi fares and up to $10 off Lyft or Uber rides within Portland, available from 7 p.m. on December 31, to 4 a.m. the next morning, according to the City of Portland.
Impaired driving is a serious issue in Portland, with alcohol and drugs involved in many fatal crashes. To help, the Safe Ride Home program offers discounts on taxis, Lyft, and Uber rides, funded by taxi fees and a 50-cent surcharge on rideshare trips. On Dec. 31, people can get paper coupons for taxis or digital discounts for Lyft and Uber, as reported by the City of Portland.
For those not using rideshare or taxi discounts, TriMet buses and MAX will be free after 8 p.m., and Portland Streetcar will be free from 8 p.m. to midnight. C-TRAN buses are free after 6 p.m. to support safe travel during celebrations. Traffic deaths cost an estimated $5.7 million each, emphasizing the importance of the Safe Ride Home program. This initiative is part of Portland's Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic fatalities. For more on the city’s safety efforts, visit the Portland Bureau of Transportation website, as stated by the City of Portland.
