A three-month trial of a Nightrider bus service commences tomorrow night (Friday [3 December]), Chief Minister and Minister for Transport Jon Stanhope announced today.
Deanes Transit Group will run the service every Friday and Saturday night throughout summer, as well as providing additional services on New Year’s Eve.
“The three-month Nightrider trial is part of the reform of the Liquor Act, which recently received a significant overhaul to include several new laws designed to improve public safety by tackling the anti-social and violent behaviour associated with excessive alcohol consumption,” Mr Stanhope said.
“In addition, the rates of drink driving in the ACT suggest that we constantly need to remind people to plan their night out, and if they intend to drink, work out how they are going to get home in advance. The Nightrider bus service is designed to help get people home safely after a night out in Civic.”
Departing from the City interchange, eight Nightrider routes will take passengers home every 90 minutes between 1am and 4.45am. Fares will cost a flat fee of $10 and will drop passengers within a reasonable walking distance to most Canberra homes.
A Manuka/Kingston to Civic loop will also be trialled to operate every half hour between 12.30am and 4am for a flat fee of $5 to link revellers to the buses departing the city and get people home.
Those connecting to another bus in Civic will only have to pay $10 in total if they keep their Manuka/Kingston ticket, however, it is important they know the time of their City bus departure and plan enough time to connect.
Deanes Transit Group supported ACTION last year to provide the service given the disruption that late night services can have on driver requirements regarding their scheduling. This year the service is being operated by Deanes Transit Group following a competitive tender process.
Mr Stanhope said that a variety of security measures will be implemented for the trial, including a security guard on each [bus] and CCTV.
The trial will be evaluated next year to determine its success and possible extension in future years.
The message over summer is to be able to have a fun night out in Civic it is important to plan your travel. For more information on bus routes and times visit www.transport.act.gov.au
This page was last updated on 13 August 2022
