12/31/2025
From all of us at North Shore Yards LLC in Riverwoods, Illinois – Wishing you a very Happy Holidays! Please celebrate responsibly and never drink and drive. Plan ahead with these free and safe ride options in the North Shore area...
🚅Metra Union Pacific North Line (UP-N)
- This is the primary rail option serving the North Shore, with stations in Evanston (multiple), Wilmette, Winnetka (multiple), Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, and more.
- Free rides on all Metra trains arriving at or departing from downtown Chicago terminals (Ogilvie Transportation Center) after 6 p.m. on Dec. 31.
- Metra operates on a reduced schedule for NYE, but they'll hold the last outbound trains from downtown until after 1 a.m. to accommodate celebrations (this includes the UP-N line).
- Alcohol is banned on all Metra trains after 7 p.m.
- Great for round-trips to downtown fireworks/events and back to the North Shore late night.
🚎 Pace Suburban Bus
- Pace serves many North Shore suburbs with routes connecting to Metra stations, local areas, and sometimes into Chicago.
- Free bus rides (and ADA paratransit) from 10 p.m. Dec. 31 until 4 a.m. Jan. 1.
- Service is limited during late-night hours, so check specific routes/schedules on pacebus.com for your area (e.g., routes like 213, 421, 423 serve parts of the North Shore).
🚞 CTA (If Connecting Further South)
- If you're in southern North Shore (e.g., Evanston/Rogers Park border) or transferring via Metra, CTA trains/buses are free from 10 p.m. Dec. 31 to 4 a.m. Jan. 1 (sponsored by Miller High Life/Molson Coors).
- Useful for Purple Line in Evanston or connections.
No specific local North Shore-only free shuttle or rideshare programs popped up for NYE 2025, but the Metra free late-evening service is the standout option for most people in the area heading out or returning home.