Free CTA train, bus rides NYE

CHICAGO (WLS) -- CTA bus and train rides will be free from 10 p.m. New Year's Eve on Thursday through 4 a.m. New Year's Day.

Additional service will be added to heavily traveled routes, CTA officials said.

A Sunday/holiday schedule will be in effect on Friday.

The free rides are sponsored by MillerCoors' Miller Lite, which has supported the program for the last four years, including covering operating costs during the period.

"The program encourages people to leave their keys at home and let the CTA be their designated driver," said CTA President Dorval Carter, Jr.

Each year, an average 150,000 CTA bus and train rides are taken on New Year's Eve.