Long Beach Transit will offer free rides starting at 5pm on New Year’s Eve. The service day will also be extended, with routes leaving the Transit Gallery on 1st Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Pine Avenue as late as 2:35am on New Year’s morning. No special coupon or ticket is required.
The promotion encourages the community to take public transit to and from festivities in Long Beach to avoid drinking and driving. This free service was made available in part by the Downtown Long Beach Associates in promotion of the New Year’s Eve events happening in downtown Long Beach. The events include a family-friendly celebration and fireworks display at Rainbow Harbor, as well as a street party on Pine Avenue between 1st and 4th Streets.
“We want everyone to be safe out there this New Year’s Eve,” said Debra Johnson, Long Beach Transit’s deputy CEO. “Take [Long Beach Transit] for free, enjoy your time and welcome in the new year.”
For revelers traveling between Los Angeles and Long Beach, the LA Metro Blue Line will also be free on New Year’s Eve from 9pm until 2am on New Year’s Day. The Downtown Long Beach Metro Station will be closed from 7pm to 3am. It is advised to instead use the 1st Street Station on the corner of 1st Street and Long Beach Boulevard, according to Long Beach Transit.
In addition to free boarding during regular operating hours after 5pm, there will also be free extended service on some routes leaving the Transit Gallery on 1st Street to accommodate the anticipated high late-night demand in downtown Long Beach.
The last buses running on the extended service will leave the Transit Gallery at 2:35am. Some bus routes during the extended-service hours will be shortened, so customers are encouraged to plan their trip early by calling Long Beach Transit’s customer service team at (562) 591-2301 from Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday from 8am to 5pm.
For more information, visit the Transit & Visitor Information Center at First Street and Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach. Face-to-face transit assistance will be available in downtown Long Beach during the New Year’s Eve festivities, and regular route information is available 24/7 at lbtransit.com .
