San Diego Transit Agencies Offer Free Rides Dec. 31 After 6 p.m.
San Diego – As San Diegans prepare to ring in the new year, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) are offering free rides and extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve to help people get home safely.
Complimentary rides will be available after 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 across the region on all MTS buses and Trolley lines, and NCTD’s COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE fixed-route services, LIFT and NCTD+ on-demand services.
“The end of the year should be about celebration, that's why MTS is offering free rides on New Year's Eve. We want everyone to enjoy the moment and also get home safely,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember, District 3. “The best decision people can make on New Year's Eve is choosing transit and letting someone else do the driving.”
In addition to the free rides after 6 p.m., both agencies will offer extra late-night service to accommodate New Year’s Eve celebrations. MTS will operate additional late-night Trolley trips departing Downtown San Diego, while NCTD will provide extended COASTER service.
Additionally, NCTD will provide late-night service between Escondido and Oceanside on the SPRINTER. NCTD will also offer free rides on NCTD+ in San Marcos from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. using promo code NYEFREE.
“At NCTD, our priority is keeping our communities connected and safe,” said NCTD Board Chair Priya Bhat-Patel. “By offering free rides and extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve, we’re giving riders a reliable, responsible way to celebrate while ensuring everyone has a safe trip home.”
By expanding service and offering free rides on one of the busiest nights of the year, MTS and NCTD aim to discourage impaired driving, and ensure more people get home safely as they welcome the new year.
For detailed schedules and service information, visit sdmts.com/newyearseve or GoNCTD.com/NewYearsEve.
Extra New Year’s Eve Trolley, COASTER & SPRINTER Service
Green Line Trolley
- Service will run every 30 minutes after 10 p.m.
- The last train departing Downtown San Diego to El Cajon departs at 2:06 a.m. (Jan. 1)
UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley
- Service will run south to San Ysidro every 30 minutes after 12:25 a.m. (Jan. 1)
- The last train departing Downtown San Diego to San Ysidro departs at 2:37 a.m. (Jan. 1)
- Service will run north to UTC every 30 minutes after 10:49 p.m.
- The last train departing Downtown San Diego to UTC departs at 2:19 a.m. (Jan. 1)
Orange Line
- Service will run every 30 minutes after 7:56 p.m.
- The last train departing Downtown San Diego to El Cajon departs at 2:26 a.m.
Copper Line
- Service will run every 30 minutes after 11:10 p.m.
- The last train to El Cajon departs Santee at 2:57 a.m.
- The last train to Santee departs El Cajon at 3:10 a.m.
Extra NCTD COASTER Service to and from Downtown San Diego
- Extra southbound train to depart Oceanside Transit Center at 10:36 p.m.
- Last northbound train to depart Santa Fe Depot at 1:20 a.m.
Extra NCTD SPRINTER Service between Oceanside and Escondido
- Extra trips departing Oceanside Transit Center at 12:33 a.m., 1:33 a.m., and 2:33 a.m.
- Extra trips departing Escondido Transit Center at 11:33 p.m., 12:33 a.m., and 1:33 a.m.
New Year’s Day Service
On Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, San Diego public transit riders should plan for a reduced Sunday service schedule on all MTS and NCTD services. Regular weekday schedules will resume on Friday, Jan. 2, 2025, for both transit agencies. MTS passengers can find detailed holiday service information by visiting sdmts.com/getting-around/service-changes. NCTD riders can access holiday service information at GoNCTD.com/Schedules.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 93 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday, more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system, taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2025, MTS served more than 81 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
About NCTD
The North County Transit District is a public transportation agency providing critical multi-modal services throughout North San Diego County and into downtown San Diego. NCTD is designated as a rail common carrier by the Surface Transportation Board based on the movement of interstate commerce on the tracks and the Railroad of Record by the Federal Railroad Administration responsible for safety over the entire San Diego portion of the LOSSAN corridor, the nation’s second largest passenger rail network. NCTD’s system includes BREEZE buses (with FLEX service), COASTER commuter trains, SPRINTER hybrid rail trains, LIFT paratransit service, and NCTD+ On-demand and is one of only three public transit agencies in the nation to operate heavy rail, hybrid rail, and bus service. For more information visit: GoNCTD.com.
###
