COMMUNITY, Culture and Leisure Minister David Cretney MHK was at Lord Street bus station in Douglas to see the first "night owl" bus services to Peel, Laxey and Ramsey and the south of the Island leave at 12.15am today.
New bus timetables have been launched with some of the changes causing controversy.
But the late night buses will be welcome news for those having a night out in Douglas at the weekend.
Mr Cretney said police from Lord Street Police Station and staff from Cafe Laare were also present to see the late night buses leave.
He said: "Everything went off like clockwork and each of the first buses had good numbers of customers on board.
"Buses in the reverse direction also commenced tonight and we hope this new service will be well received into the future on Friday and Saturday nights leaving Lord Street at 12.15am."
