How to get home safe New Year’s Eve

When the clock strikes midnight the champagne starts flowing. You’re celebrating the New Year with friends and family but as the night winds down, how are you getting home?

“I’m taking an Uber,” said one woman while walking through downtown Santa Cruz.

“We’ll probably just end up grabbing an Uber,” said another Santa Cruz man.

With law enforcement everywhere on New Year’s Eve, many party goers said they’re turning to ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft.

“Year after year for the last five years, we have seen an incredible record-setting demand,” said Laura Zapata with Uber.

And while Uber said drivers won’t keep you waiting long, riders can expect a surge in pricing during high demand hours. Zapata said that time is most likely between 12:30 a.m. and 4 a.m.

“But you shouldn’t be surprised because the app will tell you right away how much the surge will be and you can estimate how much your fair will be,” said Zapata.

Ethan Samuels, the bar manager at 515 Kitchen and Cocktails in Santa Cruz said he sees it every year people eager to ring in the New Year with a drink in hand.

“We’re expecting a packed house. We have reservations pouring in, the phones are ringing off the hook,” said Samuels.

But if you decide to get rowdy, bartenders are prepared as well.

“As a bartender, it’s our responsibility that at the point someone is past the point where they should be served anymore to no longer serve them,” said Samuels.