Overview
Finding a designated driver on New Year's Eve is not an easy feat. No one's putting their hand up to find a park near the fireworks, South Bank or anywhere near the city. TransLink understands, easing the pain of commuting on the big night (slightly) by offering public transport for free each year. Yes, that includes 2023 ending and 2024 beginning.
On Sunday, December 31, all trains, buses, ferries and CityCats will be free from 8pm through until 5.30am on Monday, January 1. This doesn't apply to the Airtrain or long-distance services, but if you're otherwise travelling within Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, you're in luck. And, on the Goldie, it includes trams, too.
Andrew Thomas via Flickr
In Brisbane, as there will be hordes of people flocking to and from the fireworks as usual, there'll also be additional services. The extra buses will hit the road between 8.40–9.50pm and again from 12–1.30am, covering South Brisbane, King George Square, Roma Street, Woolloongabba and Mater Hill stations. Two NightLink routes will also up the number of buses: the N250 to Capalaba will get four services, while the N555 to Loganholme will score three inbound and 11 outbound services.
Trains will increase to four trains per line (except Doomben) from 8.45–9.45pm, with one Ipswich service also extending to Rosewood and one Caboolture service doing the same to Nambour. From 12.15–1.30am, the arrangement will be similar — except there'll be two extra trains for the Doomben line, and the Caboolture service will extend to Gympie North. Then, from 1.30am until Monday, January 1's normal first service, there'll be a train per hour on all lines other than Doomben, Rosewood and Sunshine Coast.
John via Flickr
Until 1am, CityCats will run around every 15 minutes, while KittyCats and Kangaroo Point Cross River services will run until around 2am.
You can check out a comprehensive rundown of New Year's Eve services at the TransLink website.
Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons
Find more information on free travel periods on New Year's Eve in Brisbane, and on service updates, head to the TransLink website.