LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Southland residents planning to go out for New Year's Eve will be able to take advantage of free transit rides to avoid driving drunk. All Metro bus and rail lines will be free of charge beginning at 9 p.m. Monday and continuing until 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Fare gates at Metro rail stations will all be unlocked. Metro rail lines will operate every 10-12 minutes from 9 p.m. Monday until 1 a.m. Tuesday. After 1 a.m., trains will run every 20 minutes, with service continuing throughout the night, until 5 a.m., but regular fare will be charged after 2 a.m.The Metro Orange Line will run every 20-50 minutes between the North Hollywood and Chatsworth stations. The Silver Line will operate every 20-60 minutes between El Monte and the Harbor Gateway Transit Center.
Detailed information on Metro routes and schedules is available online at www.metro.net/riding/maps/.Long Beach Transit also plans to offer free bus rides, beginning at 5 p.m. Monday Its service will also be extended, with routes leaving the Transit Gallery on First Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Pine Avenue as late as 2:35 a.m. Tuesday, according to spokesman Michael Gold.
No special coupon or ticket will be required for the free rides.
A complete list of routes and schedules is available on LBT's website, www.ridelbt.com/newyear. Customers can also call (562) 591-2301 or visit www.ridelbt.com for route planning assistance.
Long Beach Transit serves Long Beach, Lakewood and Signal Hill, as well as portions of Artesia, Bellflower, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Paramount and Seal Beach.