New Year's Eve in Los Angeles doesn't have to involve traffic, circling for parking or dealing with surging ride share prices. Ring in 2026 cheaply (and safely) by catching a ride on the Metro. Rides will be free across the entire system on New Year's Eve, and extended service throughout the night means you can keep the party going into the wee hours.
Starting at 4am on Wednesday, December 31, Metro fares are completely waived through 3am on January 1, 2026. Rail station fare gates will be unlatched and buses won’t collect fares, so your TAP card can sit this one out.
Free rides on the Metro have become an annual tradition. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year, and fewer cars on the road means less congestion, safer streets and a greener way to celebrate. It also makes party hopping far easier, whether you’re bouncing between downtown countdowns, heading to fireworks or making a late-night dash for tacos before the clock strikes midnight.
Metro is also extending service so you don’t have to rush home early. Four major rail lines will run 24 hours straight through New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day: the A, B, D and E Lines. That means continuous service connecting Long Beach, downtown LA, Hollywood, Koreatown, Santa Monica and plenty of stops in between.
Other lines are staying up late, too. The C and K Lines will operate until 2am, which is especially helpful if you’re traveling through Inglewood, South LA, Carson or LAX-adjacent areas. Overnight OWL bus service will run as usual, covering late-night gaps for those who like to push celebrations well past midnight.
On New Year’s Day, Metro will shift to a Sunday or holiday schedule, so service will be lighter.
Check the Metro website for schedules and any last-minute alerts.