NEXT time you want to enjoy a few festive drinks without worrying about driving you might be able to bus it home instead of catching a taxi.
The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has again entered a partnership with the Hastings Liquor Accord and Roads and Maritime Services to provide late-night transportation from Port Macquarie to surrounding districts, including Wauchope and Camden Haven over the Christmas and New Year period.
The service, known as the Night Rider bus, started running again last weekend and will run from midnight on Saturday nights, through to Saturday 4 January.
Additional services will run on New Year’s Eve and the eve of Australia Day, Saturday 25 January. Security guards will travel on all buses and the trip will only cost a gold coin donation.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peter Besseling said the service supported local residents who wanted to enjoy the local nightlife and helped ensure community safety.
“The Night Rider bus service has several positive outcomes in terms of safety,” the mayor said.
“Not only does it provide an alternative form of transport for people to get home if they want to come into town and socialise with friends and family but it also reduces the risk of drink-driving accidents.”
Each service will depart from the Glasshouse bus stop at regular intervals from midnight with a 2am run to Wauchope and 2.30am departure for Camden Haven.
The driver will determine the route based on the passengers on board and deliver people as close to home as possible.
A substantial funding injection from Hastings Liquor Accord and the Roads and Maritime Services has assisted Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in providing the Night Rider service again this year.
“The funding support from our partners is vital in making this initiative a reality and enabled us to reduce the cost to just a donation. This will hopefully ensure it is well utilised by passengers traveling across the Hastings,” Cr Besseling said.
Further scheduling information can be found at www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/nightrider
