Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/222066
in focus { s m a l l b u s i n e s s } by R . J. Foste r Home free Area taverns, cab companies team up to offer safe rides during the holidays 38 | Insight • D e c e m b e r 2 013 Craig Augustine A s city sidewalks are getting dressed in holiday style, festive bar goers are getting dressed in their favorite holiday sweaters and gearing up for a night on the town. Thankfully, folks who realize they've had a bit too much holiday cheer don't need to get behind the wheel. A growing partnership between the state, bar owners and cab companies offers bar patrons a way to get home that's safe, secure and free. The Tavern League of Wisconsin's "SafeRide" program was established in 1985 to provide free transportation for bar patrons who feel they're not able to safely drive home. Currently the largest program of its kind in the country, Wisconsin's SafeRide serves over 60 counties throughout the state, including all but two (Florence and Calumet) of the 18 counties in the New North. Last year, SafeRide provided 71,702 free rides home throughout the state of Wisconsin. Paul Davies is the owner of Appleton-Neenah-Menasha Taxi, one of several cab companies in Appleton participating in Outagamie County's SafeRide program. Davies sees value in the program not only as a service to customers, but to the community. "It allows people to go out and have a good time, and then get home without getting injured," Davies says. Although implemented to ensure safety for bar patrons, Davies recognizes that participating cab companies benefit from calls, especially Appleton-Neenah-Menasha Taxi is one of many area cab companies participating in SafeRide program, partnering with local taverns to ensure patrons stay safe during the holiday season. Owner Paul Davies says the program benefits the community, and his business benefits from an increased number of calls, too. during busier times of the year. "Calls definitely go up during the holidays." Fox Valley Cab in Appleton supports several alternative transportation programs, especially during the holiday season. "For the past several years, we have been contracted by the city of Neenah to provide transportation, as directed by the police department on New Year's Eve," says owner Todd Hahnemann. Fox Valley Cab also partners with corporate clients and private groups to provide free rides home from holiday parties, banquets, weddings, and other events. Serving the community at large, Fox Valley Cab is also a SafeRide participant. Governed by the Tavern League of Wisconsin, SafeRide's growth and success is largely due to the efforts of county tavern league chapters and tavern owners. "Setting up and managing SafeRide, coordinating the bars and the cab companies, organizing the paperwork and records, promoting the program, making sure the cab companies get paid - it's a full-time job," says Bradley Schinke, Outagamie Tavern League president, which is a volunteer position. Bar owners' commitment to these w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m