There are a variety of choices available this holiday season, to help people avoid getting into the car if they've had a little too much to drink. Here are some of the services:
Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver can call (800) 400-4 AAA, and press option 1 for a free tow to the driver's residence of up to 7 miles away. The Tipsy Tow program will be available to intoxicated drivers, starting at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and continuing until 11:59 p.m. New Year's Day in the 13 counties served by the Auto Club. Callers simply tell the Auto Club operator, "I need a Tipsy Tow," to receive the free tow and ride home.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) will once again offer free rides on Metro buses and trains on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. These two nights traditionally account for a high number of traffic accidents, so the MTA is doing their part to keep intoxicated travelers off the streets.
This year, the Metro will also offer 24-hour service on all routes on New Year's Eve, with trains running every 20 minutes from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. Jan. 1. In addition, they will be beefing up service to Pasadena for the Rose Parade with trains to Pasadena running every 7 or 8 minutes beginning at 5 a.m.
Service will be free between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. Dec. 24 to 25 and Dec. 31 to Jan 1. Full fare will apply on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and for those middle-of-the-night trips after 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
To plan your Metro trip, go to www.metro.net or call 1-800-COMMUTE.
PV Transit will once again offer free transportation bus service to Palos Verdes Peninsula residents (except Rolling Hills) only, on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31.
This service will be provided from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2010. Reservations (one way or roundtrip) may be made in advance by calling 310-544-3710 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. , Monday through Friday.
Same-day reservation service also will be provided during these special hours on Dec. 31.
