Free Public Transit Rides on New Year’s Eve Encourage Safe End-of-Year Travel

San Diego Transit Agencies Offer Free Rides Dec. 31 After 6 p.m.

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San Diego – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD) will provide free transit rides and extra late-night service on New Year’s Eve, giving the public a safe, convenient, and affordable way to travel as they ring in the new year. MTS and NCTD will provide complimentary rides after 6 p.m. on all buses, the Trolley, COASTER, SPRINTER, and NCTD+ on-demand services.

“We strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the convenience of transit, available at no cost and with extra service on New Year’s Eve,” said Steve Goble, MTS Board of Directors Vice Chair and City of El Cajon Councilmember. “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.”

The agencies will also provide extended late-night service from Downtown San Diego on the MTS Trolley and NCTD COASTER. Additionally, NCTD will provide extended service between Escondido and Oceanside on the SPRINTER, and free rides on NCTD+ in San Marcos from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with promo code NYEFREE.

“NCTD is adding extra late-night service to provide more transportation options for you to ring in the New Year,” said Jewel Edson, NCTD Board of Directors Chair and Solana Beach Councilmember. “Whether you’re heading out to dinner, to a party, or to watch some fireworks, let NCTD be your driver. We’ll get you to and from your destination both safely and for free!”

Throughout New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 31), the transit agencies will operate regular weekday service. A detailed schedule for MTS is available at sdmts.com/NewYearsEve. For a detailed NCTD schedule, visit GoNCTD.com/NewYearsEve.

Extra New Year’s Eve Trolley, COASTER & SPRINTER Service

Green Line Trolley

• Service will run every 30 minutes after 6 p.m.
• The last train departing 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 departing Downtown San Diego to San Ysidro departs at 2:37 a.m.
• The last train departing 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 departing 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.

New Year’s Day Service

On Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, San Diego public transit riders should plan for a reduced Sunday service schedule on all MTS and NCTD services. Regular weekday schedules will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, for both transit agencies. MTS passengers can find detailed holiday service information by visiting sdmts.com/getting-around/service-changes. NCTD riders can access holiday service information at GoNCTD.com/Schedules.

About MTS 

The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 92 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 238,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2024, MTS served more than 75 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.

About NCTD

The North County Transit District is a public transportation agency providing critical multi-modal services throughout North San Diego County and into downtown San Diego. NCTD is designated as a rail common carrier by the Surface Transportation Board based on the movement of interstate commerce on the tracks and the Railroad of Record by the Federal Railroad Administration responsible for safety over the entire San Diego portion of the LOSSAN corridor, the nation’s second largest passenger rail network. NCTD’s system includes BREEZE buses (with FLEX service), COASTER commuter trains, SPRINTER hybrid rail trains, LIFT paratransit service, and NCTD+ On-demand and is one of only three public transit agencies in the nation to operate heavy rail, hybrid rail, and bus service. For more information visit: GoNCTD.com.

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