ELSMERE, Ky./
- A parent recently called Community Cab to establish an account with the company to drive her children home when she can't.
But the company had no such program. That is, until, Karen Salmon, the customer service manager for Community Cab, developed one because she thought ''maybe there are a lot of other parents in the same situation.''
The Safe Ride Home program, which began this month, allows parents in Northern Kentucky to open an account with the company to provide their children with an alternate way to get home.
The program is a solution for young people who want to get home safely but, because they are on a date, might feel uncomfortable asking for a ride home. Also, teen-agers who are out with friends who are drinking can use the program.
The program is ''going to be more important as we go into the holiday season, prom season and the springtime,'' said Ms. Salmon.
Calls received from people enrolled in the program will be dispatched to drivers as a ''priority call,'' Ms. Salmon said.
''Only Northern Kentucky residents are eligible for it. But we will pick their child up from anywhere in the Greater Cincinnati area,'' she said.
There is no enrollment charge. The only costs will be when the taxi service is used. The family will be issued an account card with a number to reference when requesting cab service, and will be billed monthly.
''I think it's great. It could get (teen-agers) out of a situation they don't need to be in,'' said Yvonne Mullen of Florence, who plans to enroll her 14-year-old daughter, Erin.
Mrs. Mullen cautioned that the program shouldn't be seen as advocating drinking among teen-agers.
''I don't think it's out there to promote alcohol or date rape. I just think it's a security blanket for kids,'' Mrs. Mullen said. ''I'd like to take it to the schools. I think the more kids that know about it, the more helpful it will be in the long run.''
Few parents have taken advantage of the program thus far, Ms. Salmon said, but ''I think it's just important that this program exists.''
