Yellow Cab Co. to Offer Free Rides Home on New Year’s Eve

SPRINGFIELD — The United Way of Pioneer Valley is once again teaming up with Yellow Cab Co. of Springfield, Williams Distributing, and Rock 102/Lazer 99.3 to offer the Dial-A-Ride program for Pioneer Valley residents to get a free cab ride home on New Year’s Eve.

The program begins on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. and continues through 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day. During these hours, Yellow Cab will offer a free ride home to anyone in the service area. The Yellow Cab number is (413) 739-9999.

“Our goal each year is to help Pioneer Valley residents get home safely on New Year’s Eve,” said Andrea Gauvin, marketing and communications coordinator for the United Way of Pioneer Valley. “Operating a vehicle under the influence can change your life and the lives of the people that you love this holiday season. It’s not worth the risk. We want people to know that they have an option.”

The Dial-A-Ride program seeks to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents in the Pioneer Valley during the New Year’s holiday, encouraging residents to make the right choice and get home responsibly. According to Yellow Cab Co., the number of rides given fluctuates from year to year.

“We do it to give back to the community,” said Kamyar Rahmani-Kia, operations manager at Yellow Cab. “Some years are busier than others, but if we give just one ride home, it’s worth it.”

For the past 34 years, the United Way has partnered with Pioneer Valley businesses to coordinate the program. Besides Yellow Cab, Rock 102 helps with publicity, and Williams Distributing distributes promotional materials to its customers. Hundreds of local restaurants, bars, and package stores will place publicity posters in their establishments.