Free Rides Tonight (And NYE) On Metro Buses And Trains

Brianna Flores, Lisa Brenner and Jessica Ogilvie contributed to this report.

Shop 'til you drop -- and don't worry about how you're getting home. Los Angeles Metro is offering free rides on all its buses and rail lines on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Free rides are available from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., according to a statement from the transit agency. Buses are open, and rail stations that are usually latched will be unlatched. You will not need to show proof of fare, Metro spokesperson Rick Jagger told LAist.

"This is our way of providing transit opportunities for people who are either out doing some late Christmas shopping or partying, and don't want to drive," said Jagger. "It's kind of our way of saying happy holidays, be safe out there and ride for free out there during those five hours."

Jagger added that ridership is typically light on Christmas Eve, but it increases on New Year's Eve.

"Particularly on the Gold Line, people trying to make their way to the Pasadena area to take part in the Rose Parade, we notice a great influx in passengers," he said.

On Christmas Day and New Year's Day, Metro will operate an abbreviated Sunday/holiday schedule; buses that don't run on Sundays will not run on those days.

Some bus lines may be impacted by holiday events throughout the holiday season. Check out Metro's advisories to see if your route is affected.