Free Uber designated driver program expands to Voorhees

The program, which began in Evesham Township, now includes nine participating bars and restaurants in Voorhees.

VOORHEES TWP. -- The program that offers Evesham Township residents free rides home from bars is expanding to neighboring Voorhees starting this weekend, officials from both towns announced Tuesday.

The Evesham Saving Lives Program -- started as a shuttle service in September -- began a partnership with Uber in October, making any ride that starts at a local drinking establishment and ends inside the township free.

The program was funded through contributions from the Evesham Celebrations Foundation, private donations and support from local bars and restaurants. Evehsam Mayor Randy Brown said the number of drunken driving arrests have gone down 66-percent since they started the program.

"Our numbers as of now have eclipsed more 800 Evesham resident taken home through the program," he said. "Since we started the program in September, we've had two DUI arrests of residents. Two."

With the new expansion, residents of Voorhees will get the same benefit of free rides home. Additionally, residents from both towns now have the option of getting that ride home from a location in the neighboring town as well.

Starting on Dec. 18, anyone who opens the Uber app at one of the 28 participating bars and restaurants -- 19 in Evesham and nine in Voorhees -- will see an option for safe rides at the bottom of the screen. Any rides requested through that option and end at a residence within Voorhees or Evesham will be free. The free rides will be available every night between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.

In addition to the free Uber rides, the program includes an option for people to get their car home as well through Be My DD.

Brown said the cost of the program fluctuates from month to month. However, he said they've raised more that $10,000 through the Celebrations Foundation alone, giving them enough to fund the free rides for several more months.

The Evesham program was originally slated to last until the end of the year, but officials announced that it will be extended until Jan. 15.

Voorhees will be part of the program for 30 days. Like in Evesham, the program is being funded through donations, and no taxpayer money is being used, according to Voorhees Mayor Michael.

Voorhees police officials said they average about 55 DWI arrests each year. About 33-percent of those are Voorhees residents and another 12-percent are Evesham residents.

Mignogna said based on the success Evesham has already had, he believes the partnership is a win-win.

"As elected officials we believe our most important roles is to keep our residents and our families safe," he said. "In a matter of a few weeks we developed a partnership. ... It makes a wonderful marriage of the two communities."

Both mayors said although the program is only scheduled to last through the middle of January, they are both going to do their best to make sure it lasts much longer.

"As Long as I am Evesham mayor, we're going to keep this program running," Brown said.