Dubuque to Roll Out Late Night Bus Service

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Liz Blood

Story Created: Sep 6, 2012 at 6:34 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 6, 2012 at 6:36 PM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa - A new city bus service aims to keep people out of trouble with the Dubuque police. Later this month Dubuque city buses will begin running late at night on the weekends.

For several years city transportation leaders have been working on ways to get more people to ride the bus.

They say they discovered a huge demand for public transportation on the weekend nights. So they developed what they are calling the "Night Rider" program.

The program is designed to help people who work weekend nights. It’s also an effort to help keep people who've been drinking from getting behind the wheel.

Loras College Student, Beth Miller said, "We all know we are college kids. We go downtown to the bars and stuff and I think it would be a great opportunity because there will be less people drinking and driving and less people getting arrested for D.U.I."

Loras College Student Jake Rutan said, "I will use the bus just go out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings or out to the movies."

The city is teaming up with the three Dubuque colleges to help pay for all the expenses that come with the late night service.

The colleges are helping fund some of it, but most of the money comes from a federal grant.

The Night Rider program is free for college students but open to anyone.