How to get a free ride on New Year’s Eve

Once again, the CTA will provide free rides on rail lines and buses from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. this New Year’s Eve. During the free-ride period, riders won’t need to tap their Ventra cards at turnstiles or while boarding buses.

There will be signs posted reminding customers, but if you happen to be so preoccupied with evening festivities that you swipe your card—you’ll still be charged and refunds aren’t issued.

All CTA services will run on a Sunday schedule on New Year’s Day on Tuesday, January 1.

Miller Lite has sponsored the free rides for the past seven years, although this will be the program’s 31st year. The beer brand will also be working with Uber to give discounted trips to the first 4,000 riders. Use the code MLNYE18 beginning at 7 a.m. on New Years Eve through 6 a.m. on New Years Day for $10 off your ride.

Lyft is partnering with Jack Daniels and will give discounted rides if you enter the code JDNYE18. A rep from Lyft noted that rides tend to peak at 1 a.m., so keep that in mind.

If you plan on using a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft, try to avoid peak hours and peak prices on the busy holiday. Last New Year’s Eve in Chicago most riders requested pick-ups at around 8pm and between midnight and 3 a.m., according to Uber. Unsurprisingly, the least busy to grab a ride is an hour before midnight.

Whether you decide to wait for the L or call a car—be safe and cheers!