CHICAGO — For the first time, Metra will offer free rides on New Year’s Eve, along with discounted rides on New Year’s Day.
On Dec. 31, all rider will be free on trains that arrive or depart stations in downtown Chicago after 6 p.m. On New Year’s Day, the commuter railroad will offer a $5 unlimited-ride pass.
The New Year’s Eve schedule will feature early rush-hour departures for those getting off work, as well as later-than-usual final departures for those celebrating the arrival of the New Year downtown. On the eight Metra lines offering late-night service, the last outbound departure will be held until at least 1:15 a.m. Full information on Dec. 31 schedule changes is available here.
Alcohol will be prohibited on all trains after 7 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Mr. Smith: Yes I did read the first paragraph. In my lifetime Metra never took fares on the way home late on the New Years Eve schedule even though it fell on New Years Day. Now there might have been other mitigating circumstances involved. (like a full train).
Someone will correct me, but I believe Metra was always free on outbounds after 7pm on NYE.
This just makes it free all day.
I have been on the last train out on the night of New Years and while it is loud it is not out of control. (But it is very crowded)
The one difference is the conductors look like former Chicago Bear linebackers to keep the rabble in line.
Anything to cut down the DUI rate can only help.
MR. Rice PLEASE reread the first paragraph. The CTA has been free for years. Metra is not free all day either. I remember this free thing when I was still working as a conductor for BN/BNSF for over 42 years. There was confusion about whether Metra was free. Now RETIRED from the New Years EVE FEST
Mr. Rice Please reread the first para