Jacksonville and St. Augustine, December 29, 2025
As New Year’s Eve approaches, Jacksonville and St. Augustine are offering free transportation options to ensure that residents and visitors can celebrate responsibly and return home safely. Jacksonville’s Safe Ride Home program by Farah & Farah and St. Augustine’s Free Park & Ride shuttle are part of these initiatives promoting safety. With additional shuttle options in both cities, residents are encouraged to utilize these services for a safe celebration.
Jacksonville and St. Augustine Offer Free Rides Home on New Year’s Eve
As New Year’s Eve approaches, Jacksonville and St. Augustine are providing free transportation options to ensure residents and visitors can celebrate responsibly and return home safely. These programs are a testament to the local commitment to safety and community well-being, reinforcing the importance of responsible celebrations.
Jacksonville’s Safe Ride Home Program
Jacksonville’s personal injury law firm, Farah & Farah, is continuing its annual tradition of offering free rides on New Year’s Eve to promote safety. Through the firm’s New Year’s Eve Safe Ride Home program, thousands of free Uber rides and taxi fares will be available for partygoers in specific Florida and Georgia cities. Participants can claim a $50 Uber voucher by visiting Farah & Farah’s website (while supplies last). The program runs from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 1. Over the past eight years, the program has helped more than 12,000 people get home safely. This initiative emphasizes the importance of planning to avoid drinking and driving.
St. Augustine’s Shuttle Services
In St. Augustine, the City is expanding its Free Park & Ride shuttle service during the Nights of Lights season, starting on Light-Up! Night, November 15, and continuing every weekend through January 11, 2026. The shuttle service will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. On Light-Up! Night, a special shuttle service will be available on Anastasia Island. Shuttles will run from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., except on December 6, when they will start at 8:00 a.m. due to the Christmas Parade.
However, it’s important to note that the Nights of Lights STAR Circulator operations on Anastasia Island will be suspended on Wednesday due to the New Year’s Eve festivities on St. Augustine Beach. Historic Tours of America will be providing free park and ride shuttle services for the City of St. Augustine Beach and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show, but these operations do not include service to Nights of Lights. The STAR Circulator will resume its Nights of Lights operations on Anastasia Island on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., and will continue nightly through Sunday, January 11.
Additional Transportation Options
For those seeking alternative transportation options, the Old City Shuttle in St. Augustine provides golf cart rides in and around downtown. They offer free shuttles, pub crawls, and Nights of Lights Tours. The free shuttle service runs Thursday through Sunday, from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. To request a ride, text (904) 466-6415.
In Jacksonville, the Beach Buggy offers free rides along Jacksonville beaches and San Marco areas on weekday evenings and all day during the weekends. They operate environmentally friendly, zero-emission, long-range, electric carts and 14-passenger vans. Riders can request rides between the sponsor network locations, businesses, hotels, and residential addresses via their mobile app. Riders are not charged any fee but are encouraged to tip drivers.
As always, it’s crucial to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve celebration. Utilizing these free transportation options can help ensure everyone has a safe ride home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the New Year’s Eve Safe Ride Home program in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville’s personal injury law firm, Farah & Farah, is continuing its annual tradition of offering free rides on New Year’s Eve to promote safety. Through the firm’s New Year’s Eve Safe Ride Home program, thousands of free Uber rides and taxi fares will be available for partygoers in specific Florida and Georgia cities. Participants can claim a $50 Uber voucher by visiting Farah & Farah’s website (while supplies last). The program runs from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 1. Over the past eight years, the program has helped more than 12,000 people get home safely. This initiative emphasizes the importance of planning to avoid drinking and driving.
What shuttle services are available in St. Augustine for New Year’s Eve?
In St. Augustine, the City is expanding its Free Park & Ride shuttle service during the Nights of Lights season, starting on Light-Up! Night, November 15, and continuing every weekend through January 11, 2026. The shuttle service will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. On Light-Up! Night, a special shuttle service will be available on Anastasia Island. Shuttles will run from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., except on December 6, when they will start at 8:00 a.m. due to the Christmas Parade.
Will the Nights of Lights STAR Circulator be operating on New Year’s Eve?
The Nights of Lights STAR Circulator operations on Anastasia Island will be suspended on Wednesday due to the New Year’s Eve festivities on St. Augustine Beach. Historic Tours of America will be providing free park and ride shuttle services for the City of St. Augustine Beach and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show, but these operations do not include service to Nights of Lights. The STAR Circulator will resume its Nights of Lights operations on Anastasia Island on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., and will continue nightly through Sunday, January 11.
What other transportation options are available in St. Augustine?
The Old City Shuttle in St. Augustine provides golf cart rides in and around downtown. They offer free shuttles, pub crawls, and Nights of Lights Tours. The free shuttle service runs Thursday through Sunday, from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. To request a ride, text (904) 466-6415.
Are there any free ride services in Jacksonville?
In Jacksonville, the Beach Buggy offers free rides along Jacksonville beaches and San Marco areas on weekday evenings and all day during the weekends. They operate environmentally friendly, zero-emission, long-range, electric carts and 14-passenger vans. Riders can request rides between the sponsor network locations, businesses, hotels, and residential addresses via their mobile app. Riders are not charged any fee but are encouraged to tip drivers.
Key Features of Free Ride Services on New Year’s Eve
| Service | Location | Details | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farah & Farah’s Safe Ride Home Program | Jacksonville and St. Augustine | Free $50 Uber credit or taxi fare for rides from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 1. | December 31, 6 p.m. to January 1, 6 a.m. |
| City of St. Augustine Free Park & Ride Shuttle | St. Augustine | Shuttle service operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Special service on Anastasia Island on Light-Up! Night. | Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; special service on Light-Up! Night |
| Old City Shuttle | St. Augustine | Golf cart rides in and around downtown, offering free shuttles, pub crawls, and Nights of Lights Tours. Free shuttle service runs Thursday through Sunday, from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. | Thursday through Sunday, 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. |
| Beach Buggy | Jacksonville | Free rides along Jacksonville beaches and San Marco areas on weekday evenings and all day during the weekends. | Weekday evenings and all day weekends. |
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