Big Blue Bus wants Santa Monica and greater Los Angeles residents to start off the New Year safely and joins LA Metro in offering free bus rides on New Year’s Eve.

Specifically, customers can hop on any Big Blue Bus from 9 pm Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 until 1 am, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, and ride for free.

Regular BBB fares of $1 will apply for customers boarding the bus before and after this time period.

To plan which bus route to take, type in current location and desired destination in Google trip planner (located on the homepage of BigBlueBus.com) to find out where to catch the bus, and the time it is scheduled to depart.

Big Blue Bus reminds customers that it is a good idea to plan return trips ahead of time as not all buses have late night service, and also to get to the bus stop 10 minutes before the bus is expected to arrive.

For customers traveling before 9 pm on New Year’s Eve, be sure to have the $1 bus fare ready in hand.

The Big Blue Bus operates a fleet of over 200 vehicles transporting more than 61,000 passengers daily across a 51-square mile service area.

Nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to a cleaner environment, the entire fleet operates on alternative fuels, including liquefied and compressed natural gas (LNG/CNG), which helps to cut emissions by over 80 percent.

Serving Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area since 1928, the Big Blue Bus has won numerous awards for its customer service, safety and efficiency.