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Posted by Fred Camino on December 15, 2009 - 12:21 pm

Metro celebrates New Year’s with free fares, all night train service, and additional service for the Tournament of Roses

Metro is really getting into the holiday spirit. We already mentioned you can ride free on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but Metro has also announced that trains will run all night on New Year’s Eve.

Here’s the skinny: trains will run every 20 minutes from 9 p.m. on New Year’s Even to 5 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Rides will be free until 2 a.m., so if you are planning on staying out really late, make sure to bring some fare money for your early morning return trip.

On New Year’s Day Metro will also provide additional service on the Metro Gold Line to help people get to the 2010 Tournament of Roses festivities. From 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gold Line trains will run every 7-8 minutes to and from Pasadena. After that trains will run every 10 minutes until 5 p.m. when they will again run every 7-8 minutes until 9 p.m.

The Parade of Roses starts at 8 a.m. and is conveniently located within four blocks of the following Gold Line stations: Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake and Allen. After the parade Metro will be offering shuttle service from the Sierra Madre Gold Line Station to a venue where you can take a look at the floats up close and personal. Theses shuttles will travel from Sierra Madre to the post parade venue every 5-10 minutes from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on January 1st, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on January 2nd and 3rd. Senior and disabled riders will be able to start boarding at 7 a.m. Service back to the station ends at 5:30 p.m. each day. By the way, regular fares apply to these shuttles.

Metro is also providing extra service for those people going to the Rose Bowl Game. Free shuttle service will leave from the Parsons Corporation complex which is located just three blocks west of the Gold Line Memorial Park Station. Shuttles start running at 10 a.m. Check out this map for exact directions.

Thanks to the new Gold Line Eastside extension, Eastsiders will now have the opportunity to check out all the festivities in Pasadena without ever setting foot in a car. And for those of you with cars, but who fear parking issues in Pasadena, parking is available at the following Gold Line Stations: Atlantic, Indiana, Sierra Madre Villa, Del Mar, Fillmore, Mission, Heritage Square/Arroyo, Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park and Union Station.

After the jump, links to all the press releases regarding Metro’s holiday service.

• Metro to Offer Special Holiday Free Fares Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve on all Metro Buses and Metro Rail Lines
• L.A. Metro to Operate Metro Red, Purple, Blue Green and Gold Line Trains All Night on New Year’s Eve
• Expanding Metro Rail System Makes It Easier For More Angelinos To Enjoy 2010 Tournament Of Roses® Festivities