The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD) will provide free rides across all bus, trolley, and train services starting at 6:00 p.m. on December 31.
The initiative, announced this week, is designed to help residents and visitors get home safely after ringing in 2026. Free service will apply to all MTS buses and trolleys, as well as NCTD’s COASTER, SPRINTER, and BREEZE routes, plus the on-demand LIFT and NCTD+ 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. The best decision people can make on New Year’s Eve is choosing transit and letting someone else do the driving,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember.
In addition to free fares, both agencies will extend late-night service. MTS will add extra trolley trips from Downtown San Diego, while NCTD will run longer hours on the COASTER rail line.
Late-night SPRINTER service will also operate between Escondido and Oceanside, and NCTD+ on-demand rides to San Marcos will be free from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. using the promo code NYEFREE.
The effort underscores a broader campaign to reduce drunk driving and ensure safer streets during one of the year’s busiest nights for travel.
For detailed schedules and service updates, visit sdmts.com/newyearseve or GoNCTD.com/NewYearsEve.
