Montgomery County Offers Free St. Patrick's Rides
Montgomery County offers free Lyft rides and zero-fare buses for St. Patrick's Day
Montgomery County Adds Free Rides for St. Patrick's Day
Montgomery County residents who plan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with alcohol can get a free ride home through expanded transportation options and heightened DUI enforcement, officials said. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Department of Police, and Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services are working together to prevent impaired driving during the holiday celebrations. The coordinated effort includes increased police patrols and multiple free or discounted ride options for residents.
Context
The safety initiative is part of Montgomery County's Vision Zero program, which aims to eliminate serious and fatal roadway injuries by 2030. County leaders are reminding residents to use designated drivers, rideshare services, or public transit during St. Patrick's Day festivities. Police will increase enforcement efforts while transportation officials promote safe ride alternatives to help prevent drunk driving crashes. The multi-agency approach reflects growing concerns about impaired driving during holiday celebrations when alcohol consumption typically increases.
Details
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program's SoberRide initiative will offer free Lyft rides up to $15 for residents age 21 and older who've been drinking. Ride On buses remain zero fare throughout Montgomery County, providing another safe transportation option for celebrants. Since launching in 1991, the SoberRide program has provided more than 102,000 free rides to prevent impaired driving in the Washington D.C. region. Residents can request rides through the Lyft app using a special SoberRide code during the program's operating hours.
Timeline
The SoberRide program will operate from 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17 through 4:00 am on Wednesday, March 18, officials confirmed. Police enforcement efforts will run throughout the St. Patrick's Day period, though specific deployment schedules weren't released. Transportation officials said they'll promote the safe ride alternatives in the days leading up to the holiday to ensure residents have time to plan ahead.
Impact
Residents celebrating St. Patrick's Day should plan their transportation before drinking and take advantage of the free ride options, county officials said. Those using the SoberRide program need to download the Lyft app and enter the special code to access the discounted rides during the designated hours. Moovit provides real-time schedules and route information for Ride On buses throughout Montgomery County, helping riders plan their trips home safely during the holiday period.
