Rising costs have eliminated the bus portion and scaled back taxi ride hours
ESCANABA -- OSF St. Francis and the Island Resort and Casino co-sponsor Liferides which offers free taxi rides on New Year’s Eve to help keep drunk drivers off the road.
The Liferides were offered by buses and Escanaba taxi companies. But costs have tripled in the last ten years. Because of that, the bus service has been eliminated and Liferide hours shortened to 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. instead of last year’s 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
April Guindon's sister, Cathi Jo Hurkmans, was killed by a drunk driver on July 4, 1986. She encourages anyone who plans on drinking this New Year's Eve to call Liferides and avoid the chance of an accident.
“That's how you can prevent having your family go through the suffering and the tragedy of losing a family member,” said Guindon. “Be responsible and call Liferides so you don't have to be the victim or the one that killed somebody.”
If you plan on drinking this New Year’s Eve, you can call Liferides at these numbers: Escanaba Taxi Company, 786-4448, or JN Taxi at 786-1122.
If you'd like to donate to the Liferides program, you can make a check payable to: Community Foundation at 2500 7th Ave. S., Escanaba, MI 49829.
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