By Nicole Katipunan

ACTION’s late night bus service proved a success on the weekend, with more than 500 people using the Nightrider service, in comparison to last year’s opening weekend that attracted only 59 bus users.

The first Nightrider service, introduced in December of last year, copped serious criticism for its low patronage rates and lack of targeted advertising.

This year, the service focused on the busy weekends of December which has allowed a more targeted marketing campaign.

Civic businesses and the Australian Hotels Association also supported the service as a convenient and responsible way for patrons to get home after a night out.

The Nightrider routes will service suburbs in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Inner-North, Inner-South, Woden and Tuggeranong, dropping passengers at the bus stop nearest to their home.

Departing from Platform 7 at the City Bus Station, eight Nightrider routes will take passengers home every 90 minutes between 1am and 4.45am with extra services to operate on New Year’s Eve.

The service will operate again on December 16-17, December 23 and December 30-31.