Andrews finds $80,000 for Night Owl bus

Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews has secured $80,000 from the NSW Government for a new Night Owl bus service.

The late night bus service would provide a safer option to drinking and driving during the busy Christmas and Easter holiday periods, she said.

"I've been lobbying the Minister for Roads pretty hard for money for this service which will make our community's roads safer in the Peninsula, Gosford and The Entrance areas from December to April," Ms Andrews said.

"The NSW Government through the RTA invited councils to apply for this funding, even though they had decided to discontinue the service this year.

"The Night Owl late night service will provide a wise alternative for getting ourselves, friends, family and work colleagues home safely at the end of a night out during the busy holiday seasons around Christmas and Easter,": said Ms Andrews.

"The Night Owl bus will also provide other community benefits such as helping people to leave venues quietly and with safety.

"I look forward to Gosford and Wyong Councils getting the service up and running in consultation with the RTA, the Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders," she said.

"The service has strong support from police and many local venue operators, who are partners in a string of new liquor accords established by the Government across the Central Coast.

"We have now established accords on the Peninsula, at Terrigal and Tuggerah Lakes.

"The night owl bus service will be an invaluable tool to these accords, which are community partnerships formed to produce solutions to local alcohol-related issues.

"Staff from the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing are keen to make sure that the two council's plans for the bus service meet the needs of liquor accord members.

Ms Andrews called on the Gosford and Wyong councils to "lift their act when it comes to this service".

"Our Government has continually provided funding for this service on the proviso that the councils would make a serious effort to make the Night Owl self-sustaining.

"Their efforts so far have been poor, and as a result the service has not been able to run permanently.

"This is the last chance for Gosford and Wyong councils.

"We have again come up with the money for this worthy community service.

"It is now up to them to make it viable."

Press release, November 24 Marie Andrews, Member for Peats