Get free Valley Metro bus, light rail rides in metro Phoenix on New Year's Eve. Here's how
People celebrating New Year's Eve in Phoenix have a free option for a safe ride home.
Valley Metro will offer free bus and light rail rides to help partiers get home safely from their New Year's Eve celebrations.
The free mass transit is available thanks to a partnership with the beer brewing company Molson Coors as part of its Coors Light Free Rides program to promote alcohol responsibility.
Phoenix is one of six cities where the company is offering free rides. More than 188,500 people have taken advantage of the free rides since they were first offered in 2013, according to Valley Metro.
"We are dedicated to providing safe transportation options across our communities and this partnership with Coors Light is an excellent way to build upon that mission,” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, Valley Metro CEO. “We encourage those celebrating the new year to take full advantage of the free rides and to plan their routes ahead of the holiday."
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What modes of Valley Metro transit are free on New Year's Eve?
Light rail, streetcar and bus service will be free to use, Valley Metro spokeswoman Susan Tierney said.
For most people, it normally costs $2 for a single rail or bus ride and $4 for a day pass, according to Valley Metro's website. The streetcar, which runs through 14 stops in Tempe from downtown to Apache Boulevard, is in its first year of operation and is free to ride until the first year is up; after that, it will cost $1 per ride.
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When can I ride Valley Metro for free on New Year's Eve?
Valley Metro is waiving fares from 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. Jan. 1.
The light rail and streetcar will operate on extended hours on New Year's Eve to accommodate the high demand, with the last ride around 2 a.m., Tierney said.
Are Uber and Lyft offering free New Year's Eve rides?
Uber and Lyft are also options for finding rides in metro Phoenix.
In previous years, the rideshare companies offered promotional codes for reduced fares on New Year's Eve. Neither company responded to requests for information on whether they have promotional offers planned this year.
Riders should be aware that Uber and Lyft demand is extremely high on New Year's Eve and is subject to surge pricing during peak times. This means you may pay much more than you would during a slower time.
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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Free Valley Metro rides in Phoenix on New Year's Eve 2022
