TTC, GO, UP Express offer free rides on New Year’s Eve

For those travelling around the city to attend New Year’s Eve festivities, the entire TTC system will again be free for riders for the fifth consecutive year.

The public will be able to board buses, trains and streetcars for free on all routes starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 7 a.m. on Jan. 1.

The transit agency says most routes with Sunday late-evening service will continue until 4 a.m.

Departure times for last trains on all the subway lines are listed on ttc.ca.

TTC says fare boxes will be covered during the free period. Paddle gates at all stations will be left open to ensure customers can move as quickly and easily as possible. Presto machines will be turned off and card holders should not tap their cards.

The free ride service is being sponsored by Corby Spirt and Wine, which signed an agreement with the transit agency to fund it until 2019.

“We are proud to be able to offer this service on what is one of our busiest nights of the year,” TTC chair Josh Colle said in a statement.

On New Year’s Day, the TTC will operate on a Sunday schedule with the subways and most routes starting at 8 a.m.

GO transit and the UP Express will also be free on New Year’s Eve after 7 p.m. Additional late-night trips have also been added.