The one night cab drivers most love, and hate, is New Year's Eve.
It's the night they drive hundreds of drunken, tired, wild-eyed strangers home, or to the next bar, until dawn.
But it's also the night they have more business than they can possibly keep up with. But Valley cab driver Paul Farah, who has operated his own cab business for 14 years, says it's one of his favorite nights to work.
"New Year's Eve is always a mess (for partiers), but for me and my cab driver buddies, it's fun, fun, fun," he said. "Year after year it's the same old thing - so many people need cabs at the same time."Now, Valley car service companies are busy answering questions like, "How are we going to handle the increase in business on New Year's Eve?" and "What happens if the passenger doesn't remember where they live?"And while there's not much they can do to help the ones who are too intoxicated to locate their own home, they are ready for non-stop driving.
They just ask that riders remember to be friendly with their tips on this most hectic of evenings out, because they are enabling your big night out in style by making sure you get home safe.
There are countless car service companies located throughout the Valley. Some services only operate one car and are flexible in terms of renting limitations and rates. Other services leave you waiting for hours. Before you head out on the town, check out this sampling of companies that look forward to hearing from you on New Year's Eve.  AAA Taxi Service
4525 E. University Drive, Phoenix
602-437-4000
aaayellowaz.com
Though AAA Taxi Service will have additional drivers on call for the last night of 2007, they predict they still won't have enough to field the influx of incoming calls. They operate on a first come first serve basis that night. It's $4.30 for the first mile and $1.80 for each additional mile.
AZ Car & Limo Service
602-304-9711
phoenixlimousineservices.com
This service offers both town cars and limousines. The rates for a night, for either car style, depend on where your party is going that night. They base the fee on zip code. Call for specific details.
Allstate Cab Co.
4008 E. Air Lane, Phoenix
602-275-8888
allstatecabco.com
Much like checking in to a flight online, this cab company will take reservations 24 hours in advance. Don't count on walking out of a bar and being able to hail a cab. Call and book a car to drop you off and pick you and your party up.
Blue Diamond Limousines
5415 E. McKellips Road, Mesa
480-699-7295
gobluediamond.com
For $250 an hour, you can book a Hummer for you and your party. There is a minimum time requirement of six hours for the night. Blue Diamond is already getting calls for its cars, so call within the next few weeks. In addition to Hummers, they have buses and extended SUV's. All you need to book a car from the Blue Diamond Limousine fleet is a credit card that can pay a 50 percent deposit.
Paul's Taxi
13609 N 18th Drive, Phoenix
602-956-8294
Paul's Taxi is a one-man operation by Paul Farah. He says that Valley New Year's Eve partygoers should expect to pay more for a town car or limousine. However, cab companies will be slammed so those without a car reservation will most likely wait for a cab. Unless you're going to offer Paul $750 for the entire night, he won't take reservations on New Year's Eve. He starts his meter out at $2.50 and charges $2 for each additional mile.
Continental Carriage
10335 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480-922-3545
Travel in style on New Year's in a clean town car or SUV with Continental Carriage. Reservations are highly recommended and this company still has plenty of openings for the big night. Rates are based on the distance you need to travel and quotes will be given out when you call to make a reservation.
Skynet Limousines
9595 E. Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale
480-538-2565
skynetsedan.com
Though there aren't special rates given out on New Year's Eve, one can expect a $200 price tag associated with a SUV if you live in south Scottsdale and have to go to Tempe. Call for specifics if you're looking for anything from a limousine to a sedan to cart you and your party around New Year's Eve.
American Discount Cab
32 E. Raymond St., Phoenix
602-268-4646
Cab companies are always busy. A dispatcher at American Discount recommended calling back to get more information regarding New Year Eve tips. Perhaps you or someone in your party will have more luck learning how to guarantee a cab ride with this company to and from a bar that night.
Yellow Cab
4525 E. University Drive, Phoenix
602-252-5252
While the number may be easy to remember after a night of heavy drinking, don't expect to receive quick service from Yellow Cab. The company is not expecting reservations on New Year's Eve. It's first come, first serve. The clever number may be the only pro for this transportation company on New Year's Eve.
Apache Taxi
1945 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe
480-983-9393
This sedan company charges $10 per zone. The New Year's Eve reservation policy is tricky. Apache Taxi isn't taking small time reservations ahead of time, but if you wanted to rent out a driver and car for an entire night (say for $300), you may have better luck.
Nightlife Limousine
3120 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix
623-551-3600
nightlifelimobus.com
Nightlife Limousine specializes in large limousine buses. If you and 20 of your closest friends are heading out on the town for New Year's Eve, consider renting the 28-passenger Captain Morgan party bus, or the 24-passenger Crown Royal bus, or the 26-passenger mid-sized bus with plasma televisions, DVD players, bathrooms and strobe lights. Nightlife Limousine requires a six hour minimum booking on New Year's Eve.
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