Though it might be a gray and cool New Year's Eve, many revelers will have access to safe, free rides.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority is offering free bus and train service from 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday, so anyone out and about can avoid driving. Bus service will follow normal schedules, however, so many routes will stop service before or shortly after midnight. Be sure to check schedules for specific information.

Light rail service will operate until at least 1:40 a.m., depending on the station and direction. The free rides will resume when service resumes in the early morning. Northbound and eastbound service starts around 4 a.m. on all routes. Southbound and westbound trains on the Red, Purple and Green lines are a bit later.

For other options, such as an on-demand ride from a cab or Uber, expect some competition. Uber, which considers New Year's Eve its busiest night of the year, says its highest demand is expected from 12:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Expect higher fares -- what Uber calls "surge pricing" -- during those hours.

Cab companies also should see high demand as people leave parties or public celebrations.