Safety first: Lyft, OCTA provide discounted, free rides on New Year's Eve
SANTA ANA, Calif. - The ride-hailing service Lyft and the Orange County Transportation Authority will provide discounted or free rides on New Year's Eve to cut down on impaired driving during the holiday celebrations.
For the 18th year, OCTA will offer free rides on its buses from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, the first day of 2020.
"We encourage everyone to ring in the new year responsibly by taking advantage of the New Year's Eve OC Bus service," OCTA Chairman Tim Shaw said.
The free service makes celebrating the start of 2020 a breeze, allowing riders to leave their cars at home and not worry about finding a safe ride home.
New Year's revelers can check the agency's website to plan their trip. About 157,000 customers have taken advantage of the free rides on the holiday since it started in 2002.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Ride Smart Coalition is offering $10 coupons for New Year's Eve Lyft rides for Orange County residents. The discount can be accessed by using the OCNYE code in the ride service's app between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Lyft has pledged $25,000 in ride credits on the holiday and others through the year. Other organizations involved in the coalition include Fullerton police, Anaheim Ducks, Honda Center, Responsibility.org, the Observatory concert venue, Rockers Against Drunk Driving, Orange County Brewers Guild and the California Office of Traffic Safety.