DOWNTOWN — The CTA will offer free bus and train rides on New Year's Eve.

The free rides will run 10 p.m. Dec. 31-4 a.m. Jan. 1. The CTA's hours will be extended and there will be more frequent service on some bus and train routes as well, according to a CTA news release.

“We at CTA are happy to provide our customers with free, safe and reliable transportation this New Year’s Eve,” CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. said in the news release. “We wish everyone a very happy new year and encourage revelers to leave their keys at home and let CTA be their designated driver.”

Signs will be up to remind riders they don't have to pay, according to the CTA, and Ventra readers at stations will be turned off. No refunds will be offered if riders do use their cards to pay at fare-card readers during the free period, though.

The program has been available thanks to a Miller Lite sponsorship for five years. Last year, the CTA gave more than 113,000 rides during its free period.

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