People are paying hundreds of dollars a week for taxis and Uber, what if that could change to FREE?

  Alert Cab is a program that has been around for more than 15 years in Tampa. This program allows anyone over the age of 21 who is unable to drive due to intoxication a free ride home.

  The service is available from 6:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. every day of the week. The number to reach a cab is (813) 974- SAFE.

  This cab service has reached the 21st century by creating an app. The app is designed to be easier to access and to locate a taxi when intoxicated.

  When a person calls the number they ask in return the person’s name, date of birth, location of bar or club and end destination. The cab fare is paid by Pepin Distributing Company, and United Cabs are used to provide the rides.

  This program is not advertise widely because with free rides some customers have taken advantage. The positive effect of Alert Cab is tremendous. These positive benefits of the program range from free cab fares, to a decrease in drunk drivers, and safer late-night travel for college students.

  Using Alert Cab should also decrease number of drunk drivers on the road. If more students are aware of this service, they possbily won’t risk driving drunk. Those who drive drunk end up paying up to $10,000 in fines, and other legal costs. Why anyone would put himself in that situation when a free ride is one call away is astounding.

  Alert Cab is available to all college students. College students go out and drink, and some of them do drive home. They believe since they stay near the bar that it is okay to drive home, but it’s not.

  With Alert Cab servicing mostly college students, it is no surprise at all that most cabs are located near major club and bar areas, such as Ybor City, Channelside, South Howard, and South Tampa. Next time you find yourself in one these areas with no ride home, make the call.

  Alert Cab has been around for years to promote safe driving and decrease drunk driving. The awareness of Alert Cab needs to be announced and promoted to help us all stay more alert.