Utah News Dispatch
Miss the last train on New Year’s Eve? UTA says it will help cover rideshare costs
A UTA Trax train travels through Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
Utahns who lose track of time while ringing in the new year and stay out too late to take public transit home have another option.
The Utah Transit Authority is offering to help cover the cost of Uber or Lyft rides for those who miss the last train or bus on New Year’s Eve.
The agency announced on its website that it will pay up to $25 for Lyft or Uber rides for stranded drivers from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., “while supplies last.”
Those looking to get a discounted ride home during the three-hour timeframe should call the UTA ReConnect program at 801-RIDE-UTA (801-743-3882) or check the agency’s transit app for a Lyft or Uber code.
For Utahns seeking wheelchair-accessible vehicles, UTA police said they will help arrange transportation from Yellow Cab Utah for those who call (801) 287-3937.
The Utah Department of Public Safety is also offering $10 Lyft credits to encourage people to plan sober rides home. The credits are accessible through a QR code on the department’s website.
Alcohol-related deaths made up nearly 1 in 5 traffic fatalities from 2020 to 2024, according to the agency. It also said law enforcement agencies throughout the state have scheduled 300 extra DUI enforcement shifts from December 10 through New Year’s Day.
In 2018, Utah became the first state in the nation to lower its blood alcohol content limit for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05.
