Partygoers who need a safe ride home on New Year’s Eve will be able to hop on RTD’s trains or buses for free. Fare collections stop at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 and resume at 7 a.m. Jan. 1 on all RTD routes, including Access-a-Ride and FlexRide services. Trains and buses will operate on their usual Wednesd ay night hours on New Year’s Eve, meaning the final train will leave Union Station between 12:48 a.m. and 1:26 a.m., depending on the line. Final bus departure times range from 12:14 a.m. to 1:10 a.m. The routes will run on a reduced schedule on New Year’s Day. Related Articles RTD sued over plan to start charging for Access-on-Demand rides for people with disabilities RTD grapples with illicit drugs and the use of buses and trains as shelters Sen. Faith Winter remembered for persistence, warmth and impact on Colorado at memorial RTD approves record high $1.5 billion budget but faces deficit; service cuts possible RTD bus and train riders can now pay by tapping their credit cards The 16th Street shuttle will operate, with pauses during fireworks shows at 9 p.m. and midnight. The special holiday train from Interstate 25 and Broadway to downtown will only go as far as the convention center because of the fireworks, according to RTD. Molson Coors is sponsoring the free rides, as usual. It has offered about 10 million free rides since 1988, and is partnering with transit authorities in seven cities, including Denver, this year. Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter. ...read more read less