Transit agencies throughout the Bay Area are gearing up for New Year’s Eve, with free rides and beefed up service for the many thousands who will be partying from Crissy Field in San Francisco to countless events in Silicon Valley to the East Bay.
Caltrain, the Valley Transportation Authority, San Francisco Muni, SamTrans and AC Transit will begin free service at 8 p.m. Saturday for trains and buses, with several running until 5 a.m. Sunday. BART will be charging its riders, but trains will run an hour later to 3 a.m.
“If you choose to get hammered on New Year’s Eve, rest assured you can get home safely for free via bus, train or light rail if you live anywhere other than the North Bay,” said San Francisco Muni in a news release.
The giant fireworks display in San Francisco is always a popular draw if the fog stays away, and the weather forecast is promising. The NCAA football playoff games will likely pack bars and restaurants across the region.
Getting to San Francisco should not be that difficult, but getting home may be a challenge. Caltrain has scheduled four extra southbound trains after midnight, making all local stops to the San Jose Diridon Station. The 2:15 a.m. train is expected to be crowded, so riders who are able to take an earlier train are advised to do so.
Caltrain does not allow open alcohol containers on trains after 9 p.m. following special events. Disruptive passengers will be asked to get off the train.
If you are coming from the East and South Bay to San Francisco, BART is your best option. Take it to either the Embarcadero or Montgomery Street stations. Both get you within a few blocks of the action.
BART said riders would be wise to buy a round-trip ticket in advance to avoid a line on the way home.
Caltrain offers a few additional late-night trains that make all local stops between San Francisco and San Jose’s Diridon Station. They are at 12:45 a.m., 1:15 a.m., 1:45 a.m. and 2:15 a.m. All trains will leave when full, meaning the 2:15 a.m. train might leave early with no additional train running.
You also can call 1-800-AAA-HELP to get a free tow up to 10 miles from AAA through its “Safe Ride Home” program, formerly known as “Tipsy Tow” and available to members and nonmembers alike. Or you can hire your own designated driver via Dryver, a ride-booking app that aims to connect students to students for sober rides, starting at $14.
Or you can stay home and avoid the hassle.
