Mr Griffiths said the move would also cut waiting times for patrons but would not reduce revenue for taxi drivers.

He said the designated bus area at QEII Square should be utilised as a central transport hub on Saturday nights for both taxis and the Night Rider bus.

The hub can provide enough parking for two buses and seven taxis at any one time.

Patrons would have to walk only 50 to 100 metres further from the existing rank and bus stop.

Safety for passengers would be enhanced by having five security staff, four from the taxi ranks and one from the QEII toilet block, in one area.

Mr Griffiths, who started operating the Night Rider bus three years ago, has offered his proposal to the Albury Liquor Accord and Albury Council after investigating similar services in regional centres in NSW and Victoria.

He said the liquor accord’s decision to cease the Night Rider service on March 21 was disappointing, although he could understand the financial difficulties.

“I have spent 18 months trying to get the accord to take the service over,” he said.

“We formalised the arrangements and I bought another bus, with the accord saying that even though it was running at a loss they would run the service for 12 months.

“Within three months they decided to stop the service.

“I have had a contract, which started in November, but I’ve not yet seen the contract because it’s with the council’s solicitors.”

Mr Griffiths did agree patronage of the bus service had fallen and he said figures for January were often lower than the rest of the year.

He said that under his proposal, savings of $10,000 on operating costs would be achieved by two buses completing four trips with full loads of 160 passengers, starting at 1.30am.

The buses now move approximately 90 people a night, he said.

He believes his proposal will move more people from central Albury and at a faster rate, but without affecting the incomes of taxi operators.