GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -
The Yellow Cab company doesn't want the price of a taxi fare to be the difference between life and death. The company's Safe Ride Home Program offers free cab rides to people who've had too much to drink to get behind the wheel.
The Safe Ride Home program is new to South Mississippi but has been going strong for years in places like Little Rock and Birmingham. The program is not just here for the holidays. Company officials said drunk drivers put lives at risk 365 days of year.
Anytime of day or night, Yellow Cabs in Gulfport and Biloxi stand ready to make sure people who have had too much to drink make it home without hurting themselves or others.
Mike Fowler is the General Manager of Gulf Coast Transit Services.
"Most everybody has experienced a loss involving a DUI at one point or another in their life," said Fowler. "Someone they know: A family member, a daughter, a son. We're giving the people a choice to make the smart decision."
The Safe Ride Home Program works by patrons approaching their bartender and saying they're too intoxicated to drive.
"Give the keys to the bartender," Fowler explained. "They'll put them in a sealed envelope. They'll put the location of your vehicle. They will put the location of the bar and your home dwelling address on there. We will take them there. Drop them off and we will hand them their keys, still in a sealed envelope. Nobody has messed with their vehicle and they've made the right choice."
Before the customers can take the ride, businesses must sign up for program. Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford is hoping Yellow Cab will be hearing from many local bars and restaurants.
"It's a year round program. Just not a holiday program and that's what is so important," Chief Weatherford said. "I'm asking the businesses to join forces with Yellow Cab and be a member of this. Let's make it safer for everyone in the community."
Yellow Cab officials said the free fare is limited to $25, or about 10 miles. During the interview, WLOX asked Fowler why the company would agree to take a financial loss.
"That question has been asked before and the best answer I can give you is how can we afford not to do it? If we save one life, it's worth every penny we put into this program," said Fowler.
Right now the Safe Ride Home program is limited to businesses in Gulfport and Biloxi which join the program. Officials said so far four businesses have signed up. Yellow Cab officials said they're confident it will expand to other areas of the coast after about a year.
Copyright 2011 WLOX. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WLOX, a Raycom Media Station. 