TransLink offering free public transit in Metro Vancouver for New Year's Eve
Get ready to ride into 2026 in style, because free public transit on the entire TransLink system across Metro Vancouver returns on New Year’s Eve.
TransLink is bringing back its annual tradition of providing passengers with free rides between 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, and 5 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Passengers will not have to tap their Compass Cards or purchase fares at a Compass machine during this period, but anyone who begins their trip before 5 p.m. must tap out as usual to ensure they are charged the correct fare.
There will also be extra service throughout NYE, with TransLink deploying over 50 additional buses and an extended SkyTrain and SeaBus schedule.
No. 10 Granville/Waterfront Station trolley bus route on Granville Street in Vancouver. (TransLink)
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SkyTrain passengers can catch the last Expo Line trains at 2:16 a.m. from Waterfront Station to King George Station, 2:11 a.m. from Waterfront Station to Lougheed Town Centre Station, and 1:40 a.m. from Waterfront Station to Production Way-University Station.
The last Canada Line trains are 2:08 a.m. from Waterfront Station to YVR Airport Station and 2:15 a.m. from Waterfront Station to Richmond-Brighouse Station.
SeaBus will have extended service on its New Year’s Eve schedule as well, with sailings every 15 minutes until 1:22 a.m. and every 30 minutes until the last departure from Waterfront Station at 2:22 a.m.
EB Adventure Photography / Shutterstock
And if you’re partying late into the night, you can still catch the NightBus operating after SkyTrain and SeaBus service ends for the evening.
The NightBus runs throughout the night on key routes in Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody, New Westminster, and Surrey.
West Coast Express is also free and operates on a weekday schedule, with the 5:30 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. trains departing Waterfront Station.
There will also be earlier eastbound West Coast Express trains on New Year’s Eve departing at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. There are no changes announced for the morning service.
TransLink has also announced that its Customer Service Centre and Access Transit Customer Care Office will be open for regular hours on Dec. 31. However, the Lost Property Office will close early at 2 p.m.
A long line of passengers waiting for the No. 23 Main Street Station/English Bay bus at SkyTrain’s Stadium-Chinatown Station on Dec. 5, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)
Metro Vancouver public transit riders can expect more frequent bus service this winter, as TransLink rolls out service increases on 37 bus routes across the region.
The changes, part of TransLink’s winter service changes, take effect Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. They are aimed at easing overcrowding, improving reliability, and extending service hours as ridership continues to grow.
With files from Daily Hive staff