NEW YEAR’S EVE: Metro offering free rides

From King County:

For the first time, King County Metro will offer free rides on New Year’s Eve between 4 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, and 4 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, including DART and Access service. In addition, Metro will add service to its night routes. The Seattle Streetcar will also be free on New Year’s Eve and Sound Transit will extend Link light rail service between Angle Lake and the University of Washington.

“As we put the finishing touches on 2017, we want you to be able to get out on the town and come home safe,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Whether you are heading to the Seattle Center or other King County destinations on New Year’s Eve, Metro will get you there and back, all for free. It’s our way of saying thank you for making Metro the nation’s best transit system, and we look forward to riding with you next year.”

“We want people to go have a good time and know they can get home safely, affordably, and reliably,” said King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, who proposed the idea.

Metro will operate regular Sunday schedules on New Year’s Eve with extra buses as needed on several routes serving destinations such as Seattle Center, Capitol Hill and downtown. New Year’s revelers can take advantage of Metro’s recently expanded Night Owl network, with added service on major routes between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Sound Transit will operate extended Link light rail service with trains running northbound from Angle Lake Station every 30 minutes until 1:30 a.m. Southbound trains from the University of Washington will run until 2 a.m.

The Seattle Streetcar will operate until 1 a.m.

Metro routes with added service as needed will include 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 14, 24, 32, 36, 40, 41, 62, 65, 70, 101, 106, 120, 124, 150, 255, RapidRide A, B, C, D and E Lines, and ST 550, ST 554. The fareboxes and ORCA card readers on Metro buses will be covered to remind customers not to pay. A regular valid fare will be required on Sound Transit Express buses.

7 Replies to "NEW YEAR'S EVE: Metro offering free rides"

  • C Weaver December 20, 2017 (8:39 pm)

    Very decent.

  • AMD December 20, 2017 (10:06 pm)

    That is amazing.  Thank you Councilmember Upthegrove!

  • MJ December 20, 2017 (10:40 pm)

    Hopefully people who have partied hardy take advantage of a safe ride home instead of endangering others by being stupid and driving under the influence.

  • newnative December 21, 2017 (8:01 am)

    This is amazing. Not just for discouraging drunk driving but for relieving possibly congested roads after parties.

  • West Seattle Hipster December 21, 2017 (10:46 am)

    Thank you taxpayers!!


    Please do not drink and drive.

  • Rob B December 21, 2017 (5:47 pm)

    Very cool. Is this sponsored by anyone or is metro really just doing this on their own? I used to live in Milwaukee and Miller brewing had subsidized this cost for the last 15-20 years. I think they also do it for st Patrick’s Day.

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