Ride Guide: Get A Driving Service Or Taxi For A Big Holiday Night Out

By Christy Strawser
CBS Detroit Managing Editor
Metro Detroit bartenders will be armed with taxi cab phone numbers on Wednesday -- billed as the biggest bar night of the year -- so don't be shy about asking someone to call a ride for you if you're overserved.

But there's an even better option: Take care of the ride yourself ahead of time.

Home Safe Designated Drivers in Harrison Township and Designated Drivers in Farmington Hills are ready to take your call anytime today or into the wee hours tomorrow for a safe ride home. The best part about this service is they drop off a licensed and insured driver wherever you are, and he or she will drive you home in your own vehicle.

It alleviates that next day headache of finding a way back to wherever you left your vehicle.

"They'll wake in the morning at home and may not know how they got there -- but they'll be safe," said Gary Essary, owner of Home Safe Designated Drivers.

Home Safe has been in operation since the spring and business is slowly growing, but Essary said he's looking forward to his own personal best night of the year.

"They've been warning us to expect a lot of calls," Essary said. "They can call anytime, but if you call ahead you can  make sure you have an assured time."

Detroit Designated Drivers in Farmington Hills is also ready for a big night, with six drivers willing to go anywhere in meto Detroit.

"We had a really good night right before Halloween, so we're expecting another big night," said Jaymz Maurer, head driver of Designated Drivers. "We've had so many people with DUI's that are now being smarter and calling for a ride."

Home Safe charges $49.95 for the pick up and drop-off within 10 miles. It's $2.50 for each additional mile. Designated Drivers charges $25 for a pick up and drop off between up to 5.4 miles; $40 for up to 10 mles and $2 a miles after that. Fast food stops are an extra $5.

Call Home Safe anytime at 586-596-5156 or Designated Drivers at 734-776-0212, 248-470-0596 or 248-773-9087.

Here are other numbers to keep handy tonight:

*Michigan Green Cabs, a fleet of 150 hybrid vehicles are available to pick you and drop you off anywhere in southeast Michigan. Call 1-877-GRN-TAXI (1-877-476-8294) or book online here.

*Checker Cab, Michigan's largest cab company, offers the low price of $2.50 per pick up and $1.60 per mile. Call 313-963-7000 or visit them online here. 

 *Bigg Daddy's Taxi Service, Royal Oak -- Since this is the place many people will be partying Wednesday, go with a service in town. Call Bigg Daddy's at  248-408-8586 or 248-577-8897.

*Southfield Yellow Cab in Ferndale, is located in another hotspot and will take you anywhere in metro Detroit. Call 248-548-8511.

*Suburban Cab in Chesterfield is focused on getting people to and from locations in Macomb and eastern Oakland County. Call 800-410-TAXI or visit them here.

*A-1 Airport Cars -- They can help if you need a last-minute ride or if you want to book a limousine to carry your friends around in style all night. Discounts are available for University of Michigan and Michigan State students. Call 877-276-1335 or book online here.