Mayor Gavin Newsom says that one of his "top priorities is to ensure that every San Franciscan has a safe and happy New Year. Riding Muni is a smart and green way to ring in the new year." (Thanks, Gavin!) And with a firm flick of his wrist, this New Year's Eve, starting at 8 p.m., Muni will be free all night, which is about what it's worth. The free rides come to a screeching halt at 6 a.m., Tuesday, January 1.

Plus, they will have added service:

• Special Metro service from 7 p.m. to about 4 a.m., between the Caltrain depot at 4th & King Streets and West Portal Station
• Extra service on Muni Owl bus routes (1 a.m. - 5 a.m. service): 5 Fulton, 14 Mission, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero, 38 Geary, 90 Owl, 91 Owl, and L and N Metro Owl motor coach service
• F Line Market & Wharves service provided by motor coaches beginning in the late afternoon, and rerouted between 3rd & Market and Fisherman's Wharf from about 7:30 p.m. to end of service

And, if necessary, a few pesky reroutes:

• Lower Market and Mission between 4th Street and The Embarcadero beginning at about 10 p.m.
• In the Castro area on the 24 Divisadero and 35 Eureka bus routes
• In North Beach on the 9X San Bruno Express route
• On Union Street on the 45 Union-Stockton route
• From Market Street and to the Embarcadero on the F-Line

If the mood should strike, read the SFMTA NYE press release in all of its glory after the jump.

Why drive when you can ride Muni free? The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA/Muni) will provide free service from 8 p.m., Monday, December 31st, until 6 a.m., Tuesday, January 1st. Mayor Gavin Newsom and Executive Director/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. of the SFMTA encourage all New Year's revelers to take advantage of free service.

"One of my top priorities is to ensure that every San Franciscan has a safe and happy New Year. Riding Muni is a smart and green way to ring in the new year," said Mayor Gavin Newsom.

As an extra incentive to leave your car at home, there will also be special service in the Metro subway from 7 p.m. to about 4 a.m., and extra service will be provided on Muni's Owl (1 a.m. to 5 a.m.) bus routes, to help people get to their destinations as quickly and as safely as possible.

Nathaniel Ford added: "I applaud Mayor Newsom for his leadership in beginning this tradition eight years ago. What better way to start 2008 then by taking a free, eco-friendly ride on a Muni bus, trolley, train, streetcar or cable car?" He further noted that additional Muni service will be available to accommodate those going to the midnight fireworks at the San Francisco Ferry Terminal.

Free Muni service on New Year's Eve will be as follows:

Free service from 8 p.m., December 31st, to 6 a.m., January 1st.
Special Metro service from 7 p.m. to about 4 a.m., between the Caltrain depot at 4th & King streets and West Portal Station.
Extra service on Muni Owl bus routes (1 a.m. – 5 a.m. service): 5 Fulton, 14 Mission, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero, 38 Geary, 90 Owl, 91 Owl, and L and N Metro Owl motor coach service.
F Line Market & Wharves service provided by motor coaches beginning in the late afternoon, and rerouted between 3rd & Market and Fisherman's Wharf from about 7:30 p.m. to end of service.

Reroute of Muni service on lower Market and Mission between 4th Street and The Embarcadero beginning at about 10 p.m. Reroutes, if needed, in the Castro area on the 24 Divisadero and 35 Eureka bus routes, in the North Beach area on the 9X San Bruno Express route, and on Union Street on the 45 Union-Stockton route, in the Market Street and Embarcadero on the F-Line if needed.