The return service runs from Warrnambool to Port Fairy, via Koroit, for the three days of the popular festival, which runs from March 8 to 11. Cost is $10 each way.

The first service departs Warrnambool's Lighthouse Theatre on Friday, March 8 at 6pm. It runs consistently between stops, returning to The Star of the West at 1am Saturday. Bus services resume at noon on Saturday and Sunday and run until 1.45am both days. 

Rafferty's Tavern general manager Mark McIlroy said it was a partnership between the hotel, charter business Get a Bus and Port Fairy's Star of the West Hotel and they wanted to provide a safe and affordable transport option. 

"It's hard to get a taxi home and that's the reason we did it to look after the locals and provide that service," Mr McIlroy said. "It's something we can do and should be an easy way for them to get across and get home safely."  

He said it could become an annual service depending on the success of this year's initiative.

"It's the busiest time of the year and there's only a few taxis available in Port Fairy. We want people from Warrnambool to be able to go over to Port Fairy and enjoy the days and night and be able to get home safely." 

Bookings are not required and departure locations include Warrnambool's Lighthouse Theatre and Rafferty's Tavern, outside the former ANZ Bank building in Commercial Road, Koroit and Port Fairy's Star of the West Hotel.

"The idea is to come to the venues," Mr McIlroy said. "There's plenty of buses and they're running consistently over the three days."

Timetables are available from Rafferty's.

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