A video posted by Metro (@metrolosangeles) on Dec 27, 2016 at 9:21am PST

Los Angeles’s freeways were gridlocked this past Thanksgiving, and if that wasn’t scary enough, you can bet traffic will be just as awful on New Year’s Eve.

The Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) recorded the highest number of turkey day travelers in nearly a decade—proving the last place you want to be for the holidays is behind the wheel of a car. With that in mind, Metro is once again offering holiday free fares to help party goers skip traffic and get home safely.

On New Year’s Eve, Metro Rail and Bus, including the Orange and Silver Line, will run on regular Saturday schedule with overnight, 24-hour service. Specifically, no fare will be charged from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) until 2 a.m. Sunday morning New Year’s Day (Jan. 1). The fare gates at all Metro Rail stations will be unlatched during this time. After 2 a.m., customers must TAP to ride.

Ringing in the new year at Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A.? You can bypass traffic and get there easily by taking the Metro Red Line or Purple Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station, or grab a Metro Bike! From Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day, walk-up users can bike for just $1 per 30-minute ride. Check one out at any bike share station with your credit/debit card and enter the promo code to receive a discount. If using Civic Center/Grand Park Station, use the 1st Street exit. The Temple Street exit will be reserved for families with strollers and customers with disabilities. Be sure to present your TAP card at any Grand Park info booth to receive a free glow stick!

For those in the Long Beach area, please note Downtown Long Beach Station will be closed from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. due to New Year’s Eve celebrations on Pine Avenue. The following Blue Line service changes will also be in effect: Trains will run every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to close of service. The last complete northbound trips to downtown Los Angeles will depart Long Beach at approximately 5:40, 5:53, 6:08, 6:23 and 6:38 p.m. The last complete southbound trips to Long Beach leave downtown L.A. at approximately 4:58, 5:10, 5:22, 5:34 and 5:46 p.m.

Metro will operate on Sunday/Holiday schedule on New Year’s Day with extra game day service for the L.A. Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals game. If you plan to attend the Lakers vs. Raptors game that evening,  consider going Metro to Pico Station across from the Staples Center. As the first game of the year, expensive and limited parking is expected.

Finally, another friendly reminder that free fares are only in effect from 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve though 2 a.m. Anyone boarding a Metro train or bus after 2 a.m. will need to TAP to ride. Regular fare is $1.75 one-way and includes up to two hours of free transfers. Day pass holders should note that passes are valid until 3 a.m. the following day of purchase. See our holiday fares page for more information.

Thank you to everyone for your support this year! We hope you all have a safe and happy New Year. See you in 2017!