As the clock ticks towards the end of 2024, Valley Metro is stepping up to offer free rides for New Year's Eve revelers in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. From 7 p.m. last night, partygoers can hop on any Valley Metro bus, light rail, or streetcar without the need to pay a fare, ensuring a safe return home from the evening's celebrations. The initiative, which extends until the transit service ends for the night, was detailed in an announcement covered by 12news.com.
Alongside the free rides, the effort to curb DUI incidents remains a focal point for local establishments and law enforcement. Last year, over 170 drivers were arrested for DUI on New Year's Eve in Arizona, a stark reminder of the perennial risks of holiday drinking and driving. In response, venues like Pedal Haus Brewery are actively promoting safe transportation options. Pedal Haus Brewery Marketing Manager, John Warren, urged patrons to think ahead, suggesting rideshare services and overnight parking lots as viable alternatives to getting behind the wheel. "If you have to get a rideshare, Uber, Lyft, Waymo, super fun way to travel these days, even an overnight lot in downtown Phoenix, there's plenty of those you can crash your car at for the night, getting home safe is first and foremost most important thing," Warren told ABC15.
Scottsdale police, along with other East Valley agencies, have prepared a DUI task force aimed at preventing intoxicated individuals from driving. Officer Aaron Bolin of the Scottsdale Police Department emphasized the preventable nature of DUIs while highlighting the tragic consequences they can bring. "It's something that we face every year, despite really trying to get that message out that DUIs are preventable," Bolin explained in an interview with ABC15. The state's DUI arrest figures showcase the gravity of the situation, with an average blood alcohol content among those arrested last year being nearly double the legal limit.
To complement these efforts, Lyft has announced promotions to encourage partygoers to opt for rideshare services instead. These include discounts and priority pickups for users with linked DoorDash accounts. "Even if you have just a little bit, it's best to be safe for yourself and for the people around you," visitor Jimmy Dettmer expressed to ABC15. Valley Metro's initiative and the partnerships among local businesses, and law enforcement, signal a collective commitment to ensuring that the transition into 2025 is marked not by tragedy but by shared moments of joy and safety. In the words of Juliana Vasquez-Keating, a Valley Metro Public Information Officer, "Just last year, we served at least 12,000 riders just on that night alone... So we know that the ridership is there and people are taking advantage of these free rides."
