CTA

Free Rides on CTA as You Ring in the New Year

December 28, 2023

CTA’s trains and buses are the best and most affordable ways to get to various sporting events, concerts, fireworks and other festivities across Chicago this holiday weekend

CTA will once again be offering the New Year’s Eve Free Rides program for our customers this year, in partnership with sponsor Miller Lite. The free rides will be available on both CTA trains and buses from 10 p.m. Sunday, December 31 until 4 a.m. Monday, January 1. The Miller Lite Free Rides program encourages Chicago residents to celebrate the New Year in a safe and reliable way.

NOTE: CTA buses and trains will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1.

Traveling outside the window for free rides? Don’t worry, you can save money by purchasing an unlimited rides pass, either the 1-Day ($5) – far more economical and convenient than the price of gas and parking - or the 3-Day ($15) pass – a real budget-saving move.

Service for Upcoming Events

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show

Navy Pier and Chicago River – Sun. 12/31 at 11:59 p.m.  

Service:

  • Rail: All rail lines downtown will get you access to the event.
    • The Yellow Line shuttle bus service between Howard and Dempster-Skokie will be extended until 2 a.m.
  • Bus: Several CTA bus routes serve Navy Pier, including:    
    • #29 State
    • #65 Grand
    • #66 Chicago
    • #124 Navy Pier

For additional route information check our website: https://www.transitchicago.com/schedules/

United Center

Get to and from the following events via the #20 Madison and #50 Damen bus routes. Customers can also take the #19 United Center Express route post event:

  • Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls – Thu. 12/28 at 7 p.m.
  • Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls – Sat. 12/30 at 7 p.m.
  • Straight Jokes! No Chaser Comedy Tour – Sun. 12/31 at 8 p.m.
  • Travis Scott – Wed. 1/3 at 8 p.m.

Soldier Field

Service on the #128 Soldier Field Express and #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express

  • Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears – Sun. 12/31 at 12 p.m.

Know before you go!

The CTA strongly recommends customers allow extra travel time and plan ahead by downloading the Ventra app, which allows you to manage your Ventra account, and also features a new trip planning tool powered by Google Maps. 

Fare payment options: We offer a variety of convenient payment options—from smart devices to contactless credit cards. Learn more about payment options and ways you can maximize your dollars with our lower-priced unlimited-ride passes by visiting: transitchicago.com/fares/

Service updates: Stay in the loop on CTA service changes and alerts by subscribing to CTA Updates. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.

# # #

Back to news