Train, trolley and bus rides throughout San Diego County will be free — and offered later — to riders on New Year’s Eve night, transit officials announced Monday.
In addition to providing rides at no cost, trolleys and trains will be providing an extra late-night service, with final trains departing after 2 a.m., officials said. The no-cost services begin running after 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The program, offered by the North County Transit District and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, is designed to encourage safe holiday travel for commuters during a time when impaired driving is relatively high, officials said.
“We want to ensure all San Diegans have the opportunity to ring in the New Year safely, and we’re providing options that allow everyone to take precautions while enjoying the end-of-year festivities,” MTS Board of Directors Vice Chair Steve Goble said.
The extended late-night service will affect downtown trolleys and the NTCD Coaster, officials said. There will be extended service between Escondido and Oceanside on the Sprinter, and free rides will be offered through NCTD+ in San Marcos from 6 to 9 p.m. with promo code “NYEFREE.”
“Whether you’re heading out to dinner, to a party or to watch some fireworks, let NCTD be your driver,” NCTD Board of Directors Chair Jewel Edson said. “We’ll get you to and from your destination, both safely and for free.”
Extra New Year’s Eve services include:
Green Line Trolley
· Service will run every 30 minutes after 6 p.m.· The last train from downtown San Diego to El Cajon departs at 2:06 a.m.
UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley
· Service will run south to San Ysidro every 15 minutes (until 12:37 a.m.), and then every 30 minutes. Service will run north to UTC every 30 minutes.· The last train from downtown San Diego to San Ysidro departs at 2:37 a.m.· The last train from downtown San Diego to UTC departs at 2:19 a.m.
Orange Line Trolley
· Service will run every 30 minutes after 6 p.m.· The last train from downtown San Diego to El Cajon departs at 2:26 a.m.
Copper Line Trolley
· Service will run every 30 minutes.· The last train to El Cajon departs Santee at 2:57 a.m.· The last train to Santee departs El Cajon at 3:10 a.m.
Extra NCTD Coaster service to and from downtown San Diego
· Extra southbound train to depart Oceanside Transit Center at 10:36 p.m.· Last northbound train to depart Santa Fe Depot at 1:20 a.m.
Extra NCTD Sprinter service between Oceanside and Escondido
· Extra trips departing Oceanside Transit Center at 12:33 a.m., 1:33 a.m. and 2:33 a.m.· Extra trips departing Escondido Transit Center at 11:33 p.m., 12:33 a.m. and 1:33 a.m.
Until 6 p.m. Tuesday, the transit agencies will operate a regular weekday service schedule, officials said.
Service hours on Wednesday will follow a reduced Sunday schedule on all MTS and NCTD services. Regular weekday schedules will resume on Thursday.
Officials told passengers to visit either sdmts.com/getting-around/service-changes or GoNCTD.com/Schedules to learn more about changes to the holiday schedule.
