Those who need a ride home after celebrating on New Year’s Eve can call 620-639-TAXI (639-8294).
Once again, Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings and Officer Gary Davis will drive people home for a $5 donation to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. The service is available from 10 p.m. Monday until 3 a.m. Tuesday, said Scott Donovan with radio station Eagle Country 100.7 FM. The Eagle Radio stations have coordinated the New Year’s Eve taxi with local law enforcement for years.
“They’ll pick up anybody from anywhere in Barton County,” Donovan said, and they’ll also take their fares anywhere in the county. “They running joke is they won’t take you to another bar.”
This is the fifth year that the Great Bend Police Department has offered the service, and the Barton County Sheriff’s Office did it before that. Last year a record number of people used the taxi, Donovan said. “The weather was nice and it was on a weekend, but more and more people are concerned about (driving after drinking.) It’s a great service. If the number is busy, continue to call.”
As always, the vehicles Akings and Davis will be driving have been donated by Doonan GMC, and Nex-Tech Wireless is donating the telephones. Tim Miller Oilfield Sales, Walmart, Wildcat Pump & Supply, Z’s Liquor and Ace Bail Bonding are also contributors.