CTA Offers Free New Year’s Eve Rides, Extended Service for Holiday Events – As Chicagoans prepare for holiday gatherings, sporting events and New Year’s celebrations, the Chicago Transit Authority is encouraging riders to take advantage of public transportation, highlighting extended service and free rides on New Year’s Eve.
CTA officials said trains and buses offer one of the most affordable and reliable ways to reach downtown events, including the Chicago Riverwalk fireworks and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve celebration, as well as festivities at Navy Pier and games at the United Center.
In partnership with Molson Coors, the CTA will once again offer its New Year’s Eve Free Rides program. Free rides on all CTA trains and buses will be available from 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, through 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1. The program is designed to encourage residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly while using safe, dependable transportation.
For riders traveling outside the free-ride window, the CTA is promoting its unlimited-ride passes as a cost-saving option. A 1-Day pass costs $5, while a 3-Day pass is available for $15, which the agency notes can be significantly cheaper than driving, parking and fuel costs during the busy holiday period.
Holiday service schedules will also be in effect. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, the CTA will operate on a Sunday or holiday schedule. Regular weekday service will resume on Friday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Jan. 2. Riders are advised to check online service alerts for detailed information.
Several high-profile New Year’s Eve events will be supported with extended rail service. For the Chicago Riverwalk fireworks, scheduled for 9 p.m. along Wacker Drive between Lake and Wells streets, all downtown rail lines will provide access, with Purple and Yellow Line service extended until 2 a.m. Similar extensions will be in place for the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Navy Pier, which begin at 11:59 p.m. Riders heading to Navy Pier can take the Red Line to the Grand/State station, while several nearby bus routes will operate with reroutes and additional service.
The CTA is also adjusting service to accommodate a busy slate of sporting events at the United Center, including multiple Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks games between Dec. 26 and Dec. 31. Fans can reach the arena via the Green Line at the Damen or Ashland stations, or by taking Green or Pink Line trains to Ashland. Bus service will include the No. 20 Madison and No. 50 Damen routes, along with the No. 19 United Center Express following events.
Additional service will support Navy Pier’s Winter Fireworks on Saturday, Dec. 27, with buses running on the State, Grand, Chicago and Navy Pier routes.
CTA officials strongly recommend that customers plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use the Ventra app to manage fares and plan trips. Riders can pay fares using smart devices, contactless credit or debit cards, or Ventra passes.
Up-to-date service information, fare details and route schedules are available at transitchicago.com, and riders can subscribe to CTA Updates or call 312-836-7000 for assistance.
CTA Offers Free New Year’s Eve Rides, Extended Service for Holiday Events
