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COLUMBIA (WACH)—For over twenty years, Checker Yellow Cab and Budweiser of Columbia are partnering to offer free cab rides home on New Year’s Eve, to ensure that celebrators make it home safely.

According to Checker Yellow’s Kim Ball, if you call a cab between the hours of 11:00 p.m. on Monday evening through 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, the first $10 of the ride will be free.  Ball points out that you must be going to a home or a hotel, in Richland or Lexington counties, not other nightlife.

Cabs will be stationed near the fountain in Five Points, in the area of the Wild Hare in the Vista, and near the corner of Lady Street and Assembly Street.

Ball offered these tips, should you want to take advantage of the program:

1. You must call Checker Yellow Cab prior to the ride or let the driver know you are a Budweiser Alert Cab Rider. 
2. Be ready with your location, or phone number of the place from which you are calling. 
3. Do not bring open containers into the cab. 
4. Please do not offer the driver alcohol.

 Aditionally, Checker Yellow Cab has an app for Android and i-Phones, that allow you to book a cab and bypass dispatch, which tends to be very busy throughout the evening.

For more information on the program, call 803.799.3311.