MBTA Free After 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve — Including Commuter Rail

The MBTA has announced its New Year's Eve schedule.

The free ride is especially useful if you want to head to Boston for First Night.

Some highlights include:

• Free service will be offered across all MBTA lines on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, beginning at 8 p.m. That includes the commuter rail, too. The Newburyport and Rockport lines pass through Salem.

• All subway lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, except the Silver line, which will be on a regular weekday schedule.

• All subway lines will operate on a Sunday schedule New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2013.

• Many last trains have been extended Jan. 1 - 2 a.m.

• All commuter rail trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule with additional service New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, and a Sunday schedule Jan. 1. (The Fairmount, Greenbush and Needham lines will not operate Jan. 1.)