Home from the bars, not behind them

Updated: Dec. 28, 10:27 a.m. | Dec. 31, 8:17 a.m.

New Year's Eve revelers: Ring in the new year with friends, not a DWI.

Those out celebrating have several options, aside from cabs, for getting to and from bars safely and responsibly. Here are a few around the state.

Metro Transit

Miller Lite and Metro Transit are offering free rides on buses and light-rail lines from 6 p.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday.

Be sure to plan ahead, though — not all routes operate past midnight.

Visit the Metro Transit website to plan your route.

Lyft and Uber

These two popular ride-sharing services use smartphone apps to connect drivers with people looking for rides. Be mindful of "surge pricing," though, when fares rise due to high demand and a low supply of drivers. This is all but certain to happen on New Year's Eve.

Uber offers this tip on the best time to ride: "On New Year's Eve, everyone is looking for rides at exactly the same times. We expect the highest demand — and fares — between 12:30 and 2:30 a.m. For the most affordable rides, request right when the ball drops at midnight or wait until later for prices to return to normal."

Designated driver services

For those who do drive earlier in the evening but want to go home with their cars at the end of the night, Minnesota is home to several designated driver services. Check with each company for availability, rates and specific coverage areas.

• Alpine Sober Cab: Call 763-432-7536

• BeMyDD: Call 877-U-BEMYDD

• Double D's Designated Drivers: Call 507-990-6701

• Drink and Drive intelligently: Call 651-338-1425

• Dry Drivers: Call 651-491-9363

• Froggy Sober Cab: Call 651-410-8883

• Last Call Car Service: Call 612-789-2222

• Reed's SAFE RIDE: Call 507-990-9097

• Sobercar: Call 651-788-9118

• Sober Saviors: Call 651-239-2305