Cabs ready for drinkers

As New Year celebrations get into full swing, many people will have one drink too many and should call a cab rather than risk an arrest or accident. For those needing a ride, Tino Izaguirre, a driver with ABC Taxi, and scores of other taxi drivers from various companies will be there.

They will be available during the holidays for anyone needing a ride as long as they pay the fare.

"We'll be here, 24 hours a day; you call us and we'll get you there," he said. "We see a lot of fares these days, usually people who want to go see their families at night and don't want to drive their vehicles."

According to Izaguirre, the process is simple: People call the number of a local cab company or wave down a cab; the moment they get in the cab they are charged $3.50; then, the passenger is charged per mile. The rate for ABC taxies is $2.50 per mile; however, the rate varies by company.

Marco Garcia, a local construction worker who recently returned from a job in New Orleans, said he would definitely be calling on a cab company because he plans on "partying" heavily.

"Hey, after working a good season, I'm going to be partying it up," Garcia said. "This is a time for celebration and my birongas and I are going to celebrate."

City Taxi, another cab company, will be open 24 hours as well and the company will see the majority of fares on the afternoon of New Year's Day, spokeswoman Yensi Barahona said.

"Sometimes we see up to 30 fares in a shift," Barahona said.

 Local cab companies include:

ABC Taxicabs - 1134 E. Saint Charles St. 504-0818

City Taxi- 1135 E. Adams St. 544-3030

Checker Taxi- 1262 E. Adams St. - 541-6800