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LBTLogoTaking a free bus ride sure beats having to deal with parking in downtown Long Beach on New Year’s Eve, it even beats riding your bicycle and having to lock it up, only to be left with the worry of someone cutting that cable and riding away with your once-trusty two-wheeled companion. This year, don’t sit squinting behind your steering wheel trying to convince yourself you’re sober enough to drive home, leave your car at home and take a free bus ride.

Long Beach Transit is offering travelers free system-wide bus service between 5:00PM and 2:30AM this New Year’s Eve. The promotion is meant to encourage party goers to take public transit to and from the festivities in Long Beach to avoid drinking and driving and to lessen street congestion. The free service was made possible in part by the Downtown Long Beach Associates in promotion of the Downtown Long Beach New Year’s Eve with Fitz and the Tantrums as well as other surrounding events that evening.

The events will include a family-friendly fireworks display at the waterfront and the very anticipated street party on Pine Ave. between 1st St. and 4th St. “New Year’s Eve should be worry-free. Go have fun at what will be a great event in downtown Long Beach and leave the driving to Long Beach Transit,” said Debra Johnson, Long Beach Transit Deputy CEO. “We will drop you off and pick you up right in the heart of it all on 1st St.”

LBTGALLERYIn addition to free boarding on regular routes leaving the First Street Transit Gallery through 12:35AM, free extended service will be available to accommodate any high demand in downtown. Service departures begin at 1:05AM, while most buses will leave every half or full hour from the Transit Gallery at 2:35AM.

Some bus routes during these hours may be abbreviated and outbound only, so customers are encouraged to plan their trip in advance by visiting LBT’s website or by calling LBT’s customer service department at (562) 591-2301, Monday through Friday, 7:00AM to 6:00PM, Saturday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM. In-person travel assistance will be available in downtown during NYE’s festivities.

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Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].