£1 bus to get revellers back home

The Nite Rider will be a Stagecoach bus with its own branding

A Kent town is introducing a dedicated bus service in a bid to try and reduce late-night anti-social behaviour.

The Shepway Nite Rider is a double decker bus which will get people home after a night out in Folkestone.

The bus - £1 a journey - will be travelling through the streets of the town on Friday, ahead of the start of a three-month trial period on 27 May.

It will pick up passengers at three different times and drop them off at points across the Folkestone area.

Police backing

Sarah Williams, a local crime and disorder reduction officer, said the aim was to get late-night revellers off the streets and home safely and quickly.

Spending your taxi fare on one last drink and then walking home is not always a sensible option Sarah Williams, crime and disorder reduction officer

"Not everyone has money for a taxi," she said.

"Some people would rather spend their taxi fare on one last drink and then walk home and that is not always a sensible option."

During its trial period the Nite Rider will pick up from Harbour Approach in Folkestone at 0045, 0130 and 0215 BST.

There will be 12 drop-off points in the town and its surroundings, with the bus going as far as nearby Hawkinge to the north.

The Nite Rider is backed by Kent Police, Shepway District Council and the Folkestone Area Partnership Against Crime.

It is a mainly self-funding service, but some money will come from Home Office contributions to the Shepway Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.