Caltrain Offering Free Rides on New Year's Eve

PENINSULA – With so many events happening in the Bay Area for New Year’s Eve, Caltrain can be your best bet for safe, reliable — and free — travel on the big night.

Starting at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, Caltrain will offer free rides to encourage partygoers to use the train as a designated driver. And for all those who plan on staying out late to witness the fireworks in San Francisco, Caltrain has scheduled four extra southbound trains after midnight.

The extra trains will depart the San Francisco station at 12:45 a.m., 1:15 a.m., 1:45 a.m. and 2:15 a.m., or when full, 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 detrain.

On the day of New Year’s Eve, Caltrain will operate on a regular Saturday schedule. On New Year’s Day, it will operate a Sunday schedule, with 32 trains between San Francisco and San Jose and shuttle service to and from the Tamien station. Train service will not operate south of San Jose.

On Monday, January 2, Caltrain will operate a modified schedule with 48 trains operating between San Francisco and San Jose. The modified schedule is Saturday service with six extra trains in each direction, including one-round trip from Gilroy to San Francisco. Shuttle service to and from Tamien station and San Jose Diridon station will also be provided. Complete details on Caltrain’s modified schedule can be found here.

The administrative offices of the San Mateo County Transit District, which manages Caltrain, will be closed on Monday, January 2.

For help planning your trip or for more information about fares and schedules, call the Customer Service Center at 1.800.660.4287 (TTY 650.508.6448) or check www.caltrain.com.

– INFORMATION SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: Caltrain / Image via Caltrain