ORANGE –The Orange County Transportation Authority will provide free bus rides from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31 to 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, giving passengers a safe and convenient way to travel to New Years Eve events across Orange County.
Free rides require no special pass – riders can simply board any OC Bus to reach popular destinations, including Downtown Fullerton, Anaheim Garden Walk, and the Anaheim Packing House.
“For over 20 years, OCTA has proudly offered free New Year’s Eve bus rides as part of our commitment to helping people travel safely and efficiently,” said OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee. “Year-round, from buses to rail connections and accessible services, OCTA provides reliable transportation options that help riders reach their destinations with confidence.”
Riders traveling before 6 p.m. are required to pay the regular $2 fare. Youth ages 6–18 and college students riding with the College Pass already enjoy free travel throughout the year.
If you’re planning to use the bus to celebrate the New Year, make sure to plan ahead by checking route details and schedules at www.OCBus.com.
This annual initiative is part of OCTA’s broader commitment to safe, reliable, and community-focused transit. Free ride days have also been offered for Transit Equity Day, Earth Day, and California Clean Air Day.
For more information on the special New Year’s Eve service, visit www.octa.net/nye.
New Year’s Eve (NYE) is consistently one of the deadliest holidays for alcohol-related traffic incidents in California. The risk of encountering a drunk driver spikes significantly during this period, with fatalities often doubling compared to a typical night.
Risk of DUI Accidents
- Elevated Fatality Risk: The likelihood of a fatal drunk driving collision on New Year’s Day is approximately 117% higher than the baseline average.
- Peak Danger Hours: In Southern California, roughly 16% of crashes occur between midnight and 4 a.m. on NYE, compared to just 6% on an average day.
- Widespread Impairment: On a typical night, DUI-related deaths account for about 30–35% of traffic fatalities; on New Year’s Eve, this figure has been reported as high as 49%.
History in Orange County and Southern California
Orange County has historically seen high rates of DUI-related activity during the “Maximum Enforcement Period” (MEP) enacted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
- Arrest Trends: Historically, CHP arrests for DUI in Orange County have shown year-over-year increases, such as one period where arrests rose from 84 to 92 in just one year.
- Southern California Comparison: In a multi-year study of fatal crashes on NYE/New Year’s Day, Southern California counties ranked among the highest in the nation. While Los Angeles led with 33 fatal crashes, San Bernardino and San Diego also recorded high figures (14 and 17 respectively).
- Statewide Context (2025): For the most recent New Year’s period concluding in early 2025, the CHP made 481 DUI arrests statewide during their maximum enforcement push.
Safety Measures and Enforcement
Law enforcement agencies in Orange County, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, implement heightened measures every December:
- DUI Checkpoints: Multiple sobriety checkpoints are established throughout the county on NYE to deter impaired driving.
- Saturation Patrols: “Swarms” of additional officers are deployed for roving patrols specifically looking for signs of impairment.
- Public Awareness: Campaigns like “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” are heavily publicized to encourage the use of ride-sharing services or designated drivers.