Free rides for New Year's Eve are back

Havre Ford, in conjunction with the Hill County DUI Task Force and the Substance Abuse and Misuse Coalition, will once again be offering free rides on New Year’s Eve to and from the area’s bars and taverns, and local law enforcement is encouraging people to use the service if they need it.

The service will run from 5 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 2:30 a.m. New Year’s Day, and will take people to and from local bars or parties and home.

Steve Steinmetz of Havre Ford, who’s been involved with the program for years, said people can call 406-265-1700 to be picked up at home, taken downtown, taken from one party to the next, and then, most importantly, taken home at the end of the night.

Steinmetz said he encourages people, especially those that may not be safe to drive to give them a call.

Havre Police Chief Gabe Matosich said anyone out at the bars can get a free ride home with this service and Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross said the service has always served the area well.

“It’s been fantastic for our community I can tell you that,” Ross said. “ ... I would encourage anybody who needs a ride to call a friend or call somebody to come pick them up and get them home.”

Steinmetz said they have at least three vehicles going at any given time, and, while usage varies year to year based on weather and other factors, they almost always provide between 150 and 300 rides each year.

The service has been around for two decades but, due to COVID-19 restrictions on bar and tavern operations, it was not active last year.