Ringing in 2008

I was hoping to write another substantive post before the New Year, but it does not seem like that will happen, so instead, I would just like to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. I hope that those who celebrated a December holiday found some time for rest and relaxation.

As usual, there are quite a few fun events happening around the Bay to ring in 2008, ranging from parties to fireworks. Avoid being a drunk driver or encountering drunk drivers by taking transit! Since many people generally stay up later on December 31, transit is also staying up later, just for you. Here are some service updates, after the jump:

BART will run a normal weekday schedule into the wee hours of the night, with the last trains departing in the 3:00 am hour on January 1. Trains will arrive every 20 minutes, with extra trains on hand if necessary to accommodate crowds. (Link) Service on January 1 will restart at 8:00 am, according to a Sunday schedule. If you haven’t done so already, check out this older post, which details the service and fare changes that go into effect on January 1.

All Muni service will be free from 8:00 pm on December 31 to 6:00 am on January 1. The festivities downtown will force many lines to reroute, including the F, 6, 12, 14, 21, 38, L-Owl, and N-Owl lines. Some other lines — 1, 9X, 24, 35, California Cable Car, and 91-Owl — may also need to be rerouted as well, so if you are planning to take one of those lines, allow more time. The F line will run as bus substitution. (The SFMTA website has more details on the bus reroutes.) Riders are encouraged to use the Metro subway to get to and from downtown. Metro service will be extended between West Portal and 4th/King until 4:00 am, with the last train departing West Portal at 3:15 am.

The MTA claims that most owl routes (5, 14, 22, 24, 38, 90, 91, L, N) will run every 15 minutes, but then immediately undermines that claim by warning that “extra owl service is subject to change.” The 108-Treasure Island Owl will run as usual.

Caltrain is running a weekday schedule on December 31, with three additional southbound trains after midnight. These trains will depart from the San Francisco 4th/Townsend station at 12:45 am, 1:30 am, and 2:00 am. On January 1, trains will run on a Sunday schedule. (Link)

All VTA bus and light rail service will be free from 7:00 pm on December 31 to 4:00 am on January 1. Light rail will run on an extended weekday schedule, and most buses will run on a regular weekday schedule. As usual, the 22 bus provides 24-hour service along El Camino Real, with all-night service south of Palo Alto Caltrain station. Buses and light rail will run on a Sunday schedule on January 1. See the VTA website for more details.

Regional bus agencies will continue to operate their usual late-night and all-night buses:

• AC Transit’s transbay all-nighter line 800 will run on a Sunday schedule with buses every 30 minutes between San Francisco and the East Bay.
• All other East Bay all-nighter buses (lines 801, 802, 805, 810, 820, 840, 851, 880) will also run on a Sunday/holiday schedule.
• Sam Trans line 397 provides hourly all-night service between the SF Transbay Terminal and Palo Alto Caltrain station.
• Golden Gate Transit’s 70 bus offers one northbound trip after midnight to Santa Rosa.
• There is additional late-night service for Wheels buses on December 31 (until about 3:30 am) on select routes: 3, 8, 12, 15, and 51. (Link)