The Bat Bus initiative gives pub-goers the opportunity to board a bus home at closing time each Saturday night for just $3, alleviating stress on security staff and the local taxi service.

The Bat Bus service stopped at the end of the last year and many questions were raised over the safety of passengers on the bus after a number of fights were reported to have started on the vehicle.

Council representative for the liquor accord John Watts said security would travel on this bus at all times this year and the services provides a great alternative to those who couldn’t afford a taxi ride home.

He said the service helped in alleviating anti-social behaviour, which might occur when big crowds gather on the streets of the CBD.

“We are grateful the attorney general has granted us $25,000 for the Bat Bus, which will see the service run for a year,” Mr Watts said.

“The bat bus service takes 40 to 50 people off the streets after the pubs have closed and takes them home.

President of the liquor accord and licensee of the Garden Hotel Robert Powyer welcomes the return of the Bat Bus and thanked the Government for funding the services yet again.

Members of the Dubbo liquor accord met yesterday to discuss how the service will run effectively within the city.

“The Bat Bus is something we need in Dubbo and without the funding we wouldn’t have been able to run it,” Mr Powyer said.

The Bat Bus will run from 1am to 6am every Saturday night/Sunday morning.

It will make three stops to three different licensed premises in the city’s CBD and take patrons home wherever they may live in Dubbo.