With New Year's Eve celebrations going on at bars from the Homer Spit to East End Road, some revelers might drink a little bit too much. Worried about getting home safely? Want to avoid an unpleasant encounter with Alaska's criminal justice system? Once again, Homer's local taxi cab companies provide free service tonight and early Friday morning.

Alaska State Troopers, Homer Police, bars and cab companies have all put out the same message: Be safe. Don't drink and drive. If you don't have a sober, designated driver, drivers with Taxi, Kostas Taxi, KacheCab and Chux Cab offer free rides within the general Homer area.

"It's just to make sure no one drives home drunk," said Chux Cab owner Daryn Holmes of the free service.

The Kenai Peninsula Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, or CHARR, is supporting the service for Kostas and KacheCab.

"We're going for a DUI-free New Year's again," said Chip Duggan, owner of Duggan's Waterfront Pub and a board member of the Kenai Peninsula CHARR. "We would like the Homer Police Department to be bored in a good way."

Hours and areas of coverage vary. Tips for drivers are appreciated, taxi company owners all said. For rides, call these companies:

* Chux Cab: 235-2489; noon New Year's Eve to 6 a.m. New Year's Day; from West Hill Road and the Sterling Highway to East End Road and Kachemak Drive. Vehicles can be taken home by cab drivers for $10 each.

* KacheCab: 235-1950; 7 p.m. New Year's Eve to 7 a.m. New Year's Day; general Homer area.

* Kostas: 399-7267, 399-8008; 7 p.m. New Year's Eve to 7 a.m. New Year's Day; from the Sterling Highway and Diamond Ridge, to the top of West Hill Road and East Hill Road, and to Fritz Creek on East End Road.

* Taxi: 299-8294, 6 p.m. New Year's Eve to 3 a.m. New Year's Day; from the top of Baycrest Hill on the Sterling Highway to Greer Road on East End Road.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong.@homernews.com.