TransLink offering free transit, extended service on New Year's Eve

Metro Vancouver residents can once again expect free transit and extended operating hours on New Year's Eve this year, TransLink announced Wednesday.

The transit provider said in a statement that all of its services will operate free of charge from 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 5 a.m. on Jan. 1.

"During these hours, fare gates at SkyTrain and SeaBus stations will remain open, and customers will not be required to tap their Compass Cards or use other payment methods," TransLink said.

"Customers who begin trips before 5 p.m. are advised to tap out as normal to ensure they’re charged the correct fare."

The SkyTrain and SeaBus will also be operating later than usual, running an "extended weekday schedule" with last trains and sailings departing Waterfront Station after 2 a.m. The full list of last train times can be found at the end of this article.

There will also be 52 additional buses throughout the system, with "extra service on select routes," TransLink said.

This year, for the first time, the regional transit authority has partnered with a sponsor "to cover some of the costs of extra transit services on New Year's Eve," TransLink said.

"The Captain Morgan logo will be visible on Compass Vending Machines, Compass Validators, platform screens, and other digital products across the transit system, leading up to New Year’s Eve," the agency said.

Last train information for SkyTrain and SeaBus service on New Year's Eve follows. The Night Bus system will continue operating after SkyTrain and SeaBus service ends.

Last trains departing Waterfront:

• To King George – 2:16 a.m.
• To Lougheed Town Centre – 2:11 a.m.
• To Production Way–University – 1:40 a.m.
• To YVR–Airport – 2:05 a.m.
• To Richmond–Brighouse – 2:15 a.m.

Last train departing VCC–Clark:

• To Lafarge Lake–Douglas – 2:22 a.m. (until 2:30 a.m. to Lougheed Town Centre only)

SeaBus will run every 15 minutes until 1:22 a.m., then every 30 minutes after that, with the last sailing departing Waterfront at 2:22 a.m.