The Transportation Department will be introducing the Wolfprowl today, a new bus shuttling between campus and downtown Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. The new Wolfprowl bus will also connect with the Raleigh circulator, giving students new widespread access to the Raleigh downtown nightlife, according to the Wolfline’s Web site.

There are three Wolfprowl bus stops downtown along the circulator route, with all the other stops on campus. Both the Wolfprowl and the circulator bus provide free transportation to students, allowing them to reach downtown safely and for free — all a student has to do is show his or her student ID, the Web site states.

The new bus was intended to cater mainly to students seeking out bars and other hotspots in downtown Raleigh, according to Brian O’Sullivan, the assistant director for planning and transit operations for the University.

“[Students have asked for] a safe, car free option on weekend nights to access the growing entertainment offerings downtown,” O’Sullivan said.

Most students living on campus are below the drinking age. but the bus is largely meant to cater to people who want to have a night on the town. Still, some restaurant owners say they are looking forward to the opportunity.

John Hackett, the general manager of Solas, a popular bar, restaurant and lounge off of Glenwood Street, said his restaurant would enjoy the influx of a younger crowd.

O’Sullivan said this isn’t the final version of the Wolfprowl, either.

“It’s a pilot program and we’ll evaluate Wolfprowl’s future based on its performance this spring,” O’Sullivan said.

Student Government will be leading a kickoff event for the Wolfprowl outside of Talley Student Center tonight at 8:30 p.m.