If you’re like me, 2015 still feels light years away because you’ve left all your shopping to the last minute and now you’re just hoping to get through the holidays.

Nonetheless, the New Year really is upon us whether ready or not! And whether you’ll be staying out all night or rising at the crack of dawn for the Tournament of Roses Parade, going Metro can help you make the most of your celebrations.

The following is an overview of our service Dec. 31 through Jan. 1. Be sure to click the links for further details. Please see this post for more details about using Metro to travel to the Tournament of Roses parade and the Rose Bowl game.

In keeping with tradition, Metro will offer free rides on the night of New Year’s Eve. No fare will be charged on Metro Rail and Bus lines from 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, until 2 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1. Please note: free fares will only apply until 2 a.m. Those boarding buses and trains after 2 a.m. will need to TAP to ride. Fare is $1.75 with two hours of free transfers.

As for bus and train service:

On Dec. 31: Metro buses and trains will follow their regular weekday schedules.

On New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31-Jan. 1): Metro will provide all-night service on the Red, Purple, Blue, Expo, Green, Gold, Orange and Silver Lines in addition to bus lines which normally operate late-night owl service. Metro Rail and the Orange Line will run every 20 minutes from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. The Silver Line will run every 60 minutes from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. (A Silver Line New Year’s Eve schedule will be posted closer to the 31st.)

Be aware that from 7 p.m. Dec. 31 thru 3 a.m. Jan. 1, Downtown Long Beach Station will be closed due to a New Year’s Eve celebration on Pine Avenue. As a result, the Blue Line will operate modified service during this time: trains will run every 10 minutes between 7th Street/Metro Center and Willow Street Station, and every 20 minutes between Willow Street and 1st Street Station. A shuttle train will run every 20 minutes between Anaheim Street Station and Pacific Avenue Station. Please see this service advisory for more info.

If you plan on counting down the New Year in Grand Park, the easiest way to avoid traffic and street closures is to hop on the Metro Red or Purple Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station (when arriving, use the 1st Street exit) or to walk from Union Station — it’s an easy, slightly uphill 10-minute walk. Present your TAP card at any Grand Park info booth and receive a free glow necklace to complete your festive attire!

On New Year’s Day: Metro buses and trains will follow Sunday/Holiday schedules. Please refer to individual timetables for the exact hours of holiday service on our various bus lines; some bus lines do not run at all on Sundays/Holidays. 

The only exception is the Metro Gold Line, which will run longer trains at more frequent intervals between Union Station and Pasadena for those going to the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl game. Again, please see this post for more on using Metro to travel to Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

(Here is more information on getting to the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game, and here’s info on how to see the floats after the parade).

The Gold Line will be the best way to get to the Pasadena events as numerous Metro bus lines along the Rose Parade route will be detoured or split into two segments at Colorado Boulevard until streets are reopened.

We know we’ve said it many times this year, but it still bears repeating: thank you for going Metro! We hope you enjoy the holidays and we’ll see you in 2015!

Cover image by Fiona Wong via Flickr Creative Commons