Queen's University Belfast is reinstating its popular 'Get Home Safe' late-night shuttle bus as the new academic year begins, with SOS Bus NI once again operating the service.

Following a successful pilot last year, the service will restart on Tuesday 22 September, running two nights each week to help Queen's students travel home from nights out free of charge.

The shuttle will collect passengers outside The Kremlin and The Limelight. Queen's students with a valid student card will be taken to a drop-off point in the Holyland area on Tuesdays and Thursdays between midnight and 2am.

Queen's President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said: "We are delighted to be able to extend the Get Home Safe initiative for new and returning students this semester. "Experiencing Belfast's thriving nightlife is a huge part of the student journey for many of our students, this free service compliments that experience by offering peace of mind on how they will get home."

Micky Murray, Chief Executive at SOS Bus NI said: "SOS Bus NI are delighted to be partnering with Queen's University Belfast again this year to deliver our Get Home Safe service to improve student safety.

"We've been keeping people safe during the night-time economy since 2006, and as we approach our 20th anniversary in October, we're more energised than ever to continue to keep delivering on that promise in more innovative ways and continuing our relationship with Queen's University Belfast."

Also expanding this year is the Drink Check initiative, delivered in partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and designed to help keep Belfast the safest UK city for students to live and study. An additional 37 venues are joining, bringing the total to 70.

Further details and support for both initiatives, including full operating information and the list of participating venues, are available on the University's website.