Lakeport >> If you find yourself trying to get someplace on New Year’s Eve, but for whatever reason driving isn’t an option — and there are some very good reasons why this might be the case — you could call a friend or a family member, or you could use one of the other transportation options Lake County has to offer.
Lake Transit, the public bus service operating with routes throughout the county, will be operating under normal operations on their Saturday schedule for New Year’s Eve. Route options can take passengers from Ukiah, throughout Lake County, to Deer Park and Saint Helena Hospital in Napa. Options are also available to transfer to other bus systems once outside the county.
Bus fares start at $1.25, and Dial-a-Ride services may be available, though the transit company will not be operating on New Year’s Day.
To contact Lake Transit, call 263-3334.
Another option is Maria’s Midnight Rides, a shuttle based out of Lakeport that offers service to the entire county. According to driver Angela Hughes, Maria’s will be open throughout New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day.
For New Year’s Eve, they plan on operating four vehicles throughout the evening, their busiest night of the year. Vehicles seat up to seven people with a flat rate charged for the mileage. Cash and credit are accepted, as well as requests for trips out of the area.
A trip to the Bay Area costs $300, with the option for the driver to “stick around” for an extra ten dollars an hour. If you want the driver to bring you home, your return trip is free. The most expensive a trip within the county gets is $55, but if you take advantage of their vehicle driver service, the fare is doubled.
Maria’s will not be taking reservations for New Year’s Eve because of the anticipated extra traffic from party-goers.
To contact Maria’s Midnight Rides, call 349-0446.
Also based out of Lakeport, and with offices in Mendocino County, is Riley’s Cab Company. Owner/Operator Mike Riley states they are open 365 days a year, offering taxi, delivery and airport shuttle and non-emergency medical transportation services.
Riley anticipates having two or three vehicles in service on New Year’s Eve, with no reservations accepted and a first-come, first-served policy in the evening. Their vehicles are capable of handling four to six passengers.
Riley’s uses meters in their vehicles, with some standard rates: $3 for the pickup and $2 per mile after. Flat rates are also charged between Lakeport and the casinos: $10 to Konocti Vista, and $20 to Robinson Rancheria or Running Creek. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
To contact Riley’s Cab Company, call 263-1690.
Based out of Clearlake, Lake County Taxi & Shuttle owner Shawn Scarborough says they will be open and accepting reservations for New Year’s. The taxi service charges about $2 per mile and offers service throughout the county, though Scarborough was unsure how many vehicles they would put into service for the holiday.
To contact Lake County Taxi & Shuttle, call 349-9903.
The lap of luxury
If you were looking for something a little more upscale than a taxi or van to move your party around, you’re out of luck. Lake County Limousine, based out of Lakeport, requires four to five days advance reservations to gain access to their fleet of five stretched Lincoln Town Cars. According to owner Larry Miller, each unit will hold up to 8 passengers and includes a small wet bar.
Reservations are by the hour only, at $75 per hour, but will take you “wherever you want to go.” Miller added that half his vehicles were booked for the holiday.
