Most of the Bay Area transit systems are offering free New Year’s Eve service; BART is offering a $6.00 flash pass.

VTA will provide free service on all light rail and bus lines from 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 31 until 3:59 am Thursday, January 1, 2009. VTA will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday and Sunday/Holiday schedule on Thursday.

Caltrain will offer free rides beginning at 11:00 pm on New Year’s Eve. Caltrain is adding three post-midnight, southbound trains that will depart the San Francisco station at 1:00 am, 1:45 am, and 2:15 am. Caltrain does not allow open alcohol containers on trains after 9:00 pm.

On New Year’s Eve, SamTrans will offer free rides beginning at 11:00 pm running until 2:00 am. SamTrans will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday and a Holiday schedule on Thursday.

BART’s “New Year’s Eve Flash Pass” costs $6.00 and is good for unlimited rides on BART from 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 31, 2008 through 3:00 am Thursday, January 1, 2009. To accommodate New Year’s revelers, service will end around 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, New Year’s Day, including stand-by trains to accommodate crowds throughout the evening. BART runs a Sunday/Holiday schedule on New Year’s Day.