The CTA will once again offer free rides on New Year’s Eve

Need a designated driver this New Year’s Eve? Allow the Chicago Transit Authority to be of service. 

The transit agency announced it will once again offer free rides aboard CTA trains and buses this New Year’s Eve, a year-end tradition sponsored by Miller Lite that the agency skipped last year amid COVID-19 restrictions. From 10pm on Friday, December 31 until 4am on Saturday, January 1, riders can take advantage of free rides on all CTA trains and buses—no need to tap cards at train station turnstiles or while boarding buses (though a press release notes that riders will not be refunded if they accidentally tap their fare card). 

Trains and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule on Friday, December 31 in observance of the holiday, so plan ahead if you’re relying on transit to get to your destination on New Year’s. Normal Saturday service resumes on January 1. Of course, we can’t promise that riding the CTA in the wee hours of the morning will be an entirely pleasant experience, but hey, it’s a free ride! Go forth and celebrate at the best New Year’s Eve parties in Chicago. And please, if you’re going out, don’t be like the Lollapalooza crowds—wear your mask!