Community Corner

Get Home Safe on New Year's Eve: Call A Cab

Nearby cab companies and free-ride home programs offer safe transportation options if you've had too much New Year's Eve revelry.

Lorraine Swanson, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Start the new year off right by not getting a DUI or into a wreck. These local cab companies offer their services 24/7 and are eager to get you home safe and sound on New Year's Eve. Your driver will appreciate your business and your tip.

Plug these numbers into your phone before you go out. If the line is busy or no one picks up, try again, or go down the list, but don't risk driving home drunk. Make your reservations early.

  • O'Brien's Taxi Co. 773-600-3469
  • Metro Yellow/Checker Cab 708-499-4222
  • McNamara Cab Co. 708-499-5777
  • American Taxi 708-424-7878
  • US Taxi Service - 708-496-3513
  • US Taxi Service II - (708) 233-1328
  • Chicago Ridge Cab - (708) 422-2222

'Safe Ride Home'

Palos Heights, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Mokena and New Lenox are participating in the "Safe Ride Home" program, paid for with a grant from the Michael P. Gordon Foundation. If you're partying with friends who live in these towns, you can call can call Stretch Limo Chicago at 1-855-230-1637 to arrange for a free ride home from 10 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 31) to 4 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 1). Drivers will transport revelers home but not to other bars or parties within the participating towns. 

The Palos Park Police Department is offering no-questions-asked rides to those in the village who might need one on New Year's Eve. For a ride call Palos Park police directly at 708-448-2191 or call Police Chief Joe Miller’s cell directly at 708-259-1035. 

Free CTA Rides New Year's Eve

If you're going to be in the city, the CTA is offering penny rides on CTA trains and buses beginning 10 p.m. New Year's Eve to 4 a.m. New Year's Day.

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This year, the CTA is waiving the penny altogether. MillerCoors brewing company is picking up the tab for the 25-year-old penny ride program, which means riders can ride free on New Year's Eve.

Though the official cost is a penny, the CTA is waiving the penny because "collecting the one-cent fare is generally more trouble than it's worth," CTA President Forrest Claypool noted.  

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The program is aimed at combating drunk driving but also preventing pedestrian accidents. New Year’s Day in Chicago was found as the deadliest day of the year for walkers, the Chicago Tribune reported.

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