Valley Metro offering free rides for New Year’s Eve revelers

By Óscar A. Contreras         

Cronkite News

PHOENIX – This New Year’s Eve, a partnership between Valley Metro and a beer maker will make it easier for people to get from one place to another safely if they overdo it.

Coors Light Free Rides, a collaboration with MillerCoors, will offer free public transit rides, including light rail and buses, for those who want to “freeze the keys.”

“The whole point of this event is to make sure that people have as easy an option as possible to get home safely,” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said at a news conference Wednesday. “And we want every single person to get home to their families safely on New Year’s Eve.”

The free rides start at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Hours of operation will be extended until 2 a.m.

Chandler City Councilwoman Trinity Donovan said 35,000 people are expected to ride public transportation on New Year’s Eve.

“This is the first time ever that free rides have been extended to the entire Valley Metro transit system,” she said.

Susan Tierney, communications manager for Valley Metro, said Phoenix police will assist Valley Metro security that night.

Raj Kandyil, general manager for MillerCoors in Arizona, said the partnership is important to the brewer.

“It’s not just about brewing great beer,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re doing everything possible to prevent drunk driving.”