Halifax Transit

Halifax Transit is a Canadian public transport service operating buses and ferries in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded as Metro Transit in March 1981, the agency runs two ferry routes, 66 conventional bus routes (including corridor, local, and express services), three regional express routes (called MetroX), and three rural routes. Halifax Transit also operates Access-a-Bus, a door-to-door paratransit service for senior and disabled citizens.

Halifax Transit
Halifax Transit logo
Clockwise from top-left: Halifax Transit bus, view of Halifax from the deck of the Stannix, Access-a-Bus vehicle, warning on Halifax III railing, new entrance to Dartmouth Alderney terminal
Clockwise from top-left: Halifax Transit bus, view of Halifax from the deck of the Stannix, Access-a-Bus vehicle, warning on Halifax III railing, new entrance to Dartmouth Alderney terminal
Overview
Area servedUrban Transit Service Area[1]
LocaleHalifax, Nova Scotia
Transit typeBus, ferry
Number of lines72 bus routes
2 ferry routes
Daily ridership99,320 (average weekday, 2019/20)[note 1][2]
Annual ridership30.4 million (2019/20)[note 1][2]
Key peopleDave Reage, Director
Headquarters200 Ilsley Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Websitehttp://halifax.ca/transit
Operation
Began operation1981[3]
Operator(s)Halifax Regional Municipality
Number of vehicles369 buses[4]
5 ferries[4]
47 paratransit buses[4]

Total ridership in the 2019/20 reporting year was about 30.4 million, with the system carrying an average of 99,320 on weekdays.[note 1][2] According to the 2016 census, Halifax had the seventh-highest proportion of workers taking transit to work among Canadian cities.[5]

History

Two open (summer) horse cars of the Halifax Street Railway Co, 1894

Preceding services

Halifax was among the first Canadian cities to be served by an integrated public transportation system, pre-dated only by Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.[6]

The city's first transit service came with establishment of the Dartmouth ferry service, first chartered in 1752. In 1816, the sail-powered ferry was replaced by a horse-powered boat, and in 1830 with a steam ferry. While private omnibus services are known to have begun in the city at least as early as 1854, the roots of Halifax Transit date back to June 11, 1866.

The Halifax City Railroad Company (HCR) began operations with five horse-drawn trams on rails that stretched from the corner of Barrington Street and Inglis Street in the south end to the city’s first railway station, near the corner of Duffus Street and Campbell Road (now Barrington Street), in the north end.[7]

Tram with plow attachment, 1930s

Notwithstanding a ten-year hiatus, horse-drawn street railway services continued in Halifax until April 1896 when the system, now operated by the Halifax Electric Tramway Company, completed the conversion to electric-powered operation. The street railway served Halifax until March 1949, when the war-worn trams were replaced by "trackless" electric trolley coaches.[8]

The bright yellow trolleys, operated by utility company Nova Scotia Light and Power, plied city streets exclusively until 1963, when they were supplemented by diesel buses for the first time. The system became all-diesel on January 1, 1970, the same day the City of Halifax took over operation.[9] Some of Halifax's T-44 trolleybuses were sold to the Toronto Transit Commission for parts for their Western Flyer E-700A.

Dartmouth Transit provided transit service in Dartmouth, a separate city at that time.

Unification

Old film photo of an older-model GM high-floor Metro Transit bus running southbound on Barrington Street next to the tall stone retaining wall of the Grand Parade. The bus is painted with a wide blue stripe down its length, the words Metro Transit in white at the rear of the bus. The photographer seems to be standing in front of the TD Building. Halifax City Hall is visible in the background.
Metro Transit bus on Barrington Street, 1990

Metro Transit, a single transit agency serving all of the greater Halifax-Dartmouth metropolitan area, began operations in March 1981.[3] The system was created by the Metropolitan Authority, an agency representing the former cities of Halifax and Dartmouth as well as suburban Halifax County,[10] to consolidate the transit operations of the Halifax Transit Corporation and Dartmouth Transit.

Metro Transit expanded in 1994 with the absorption of the Dartmouth ferry services formerly operated by the city of Dartmouth. Ownership of the transit service was transferred to the newly created Halifax Regional Municipality when Halifax, Dartmouth, and Halifax County were amalgamated in 1996. Since then, the service has been operated directly by the municipal government, and since October 2010 the agency has reported though the Transportation Standing Committee of Halifax Regional Council. The municipality announced on July 15, 2014 that it was changing the service's name to Halifax Transit to reflect the city's new brand.[11][12]

Fuel leak

In 2014, a massive fuel leak spilling close to 200,000 litres of fuel at Halifax Transit's Burnside bus depot went undetected for almost four months.[13] In addition to the cost of lost fuel, cleanup from local environmental damage and groundwater contamination as far as 1 km away cost Halifax Regional Municipality approximately $2.5 million.[14] Before the discovery of the leak, Halifax Transit initially claimed that the excess fuel consumption was caused by higher usage during winter.[15]

The municipal auditor general investigated the incident and recommended that Halifax Transit improve monitoring of fuel usage and inventory and improve training of employees involved in fuel handling.[16]

System redesign

In January 2014, Halifax Regional Council approved a study to look at a major re-design of the city's transit system.[17] The "Moving Forward Together Plan" (MFTP) was adopted in-principle by council in April 2016. Proposed amendments to the plan were defeated in November 2016, with the exception of a change to the route of the Porters Lake MetroX and a short reprieve to attempt to increase ridership to save the #15 bus to York Redoubt.

The Moving Forward Together Plan is Halifax Transit's five-year improvement plan that outlines planned changes to the transit network from late 2016 to 2020. The plan aims to increase the proportion of resources dedicated to high-ridership routes, simplify the system and make it more understandable, improve service quality and reliability, and give priority to transit in the transportation network.[18] The plan created a new classification system for bus routes, designating them as corridor, local, express, regional express, or rural routes. Corridor routes form the backbone of the revamped bus system, providing frequent service connecting transit terminals.[19]

Some critics called the plan inadequate, outlining various criticisms including inefficient and redundant route design, missing data and analysis, a long implementation period causing nuisance to riders, and a lack of network connectivity. In addition, critics characterised the "Moving Forward Together Plan" as disregarding the key principles that Halifax Transit identified through years of public engagement and consultation.[20] Business groups have also noted both the current lack of service, and lack of proposed future service, along key corridors of the region.[21]

The changes proposed under the Moving Forward Together Plan were implemented in stages each year, with the first round of changes taking place during the 2017/18 fiscal year. The latest major round of changes came into effect on 22 November 2021.[22] The final round of MFTP adjustments, originally scheduled to come into effect in November 2022, was (with the exception of the introduction of route 50) postponed to 2023 due to chronic staff shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]

Operations

Bridge Terminal, which opened in 2012
Scotia Square Terminal in downtown Halifax

Bus services

There are 369 conventional buses in the fleet,[4] all of which are low floor and wheelchair accessible.[24]

Halifax Transit operates 66 conventional bus routes within the Urban Transit Service Boundary, broadly similar to the metropolitan region of Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Sackville), including the areas of Eastern Passage, North Preston/Cherry Brook and Herring Cove. Routes are numbered according to the region or type of service provided. The agency also operates three regional express routes and three rural routes.

The bus fleet is stored and maintained at two depots, namely the Burnside Transit Centre and Ragged Lake Transit Centre.

Corridor routes

Corridor routes are higher-ridership routes that provide frequent service for most of the day. They serve major destinations and transit terminals.[19] Following the latest round of service adjustments implemented in November 2021, there are ten corridor routes, numbered 1-10.

Corridor routes, considered the backbone of the bus system, operate at headways of 5-15 minutes during peak hours.[19]

Local routes

Local routes provide connect neighbourhoods to corridor routes (at transit terminals).[19] Local routes operate all day, except for four routes that operate at peak hours only: 26, 50, 57, and 93 (as well as parts of route 51).

Express routes

Express routes provide limited-stop services to major destinations (e.g. downtown Halifax) at peak hours. Express bus stops are designated with a red route decal.

Express routes are sometimes paired with a local route, providing service along the local route before continuing along the express portion of the journey. For example, route 182 First Lake Express is an extended version of route 82 First Lake.[19]

This service type consolidated the former MetroLink and "Urban Express" services.

Regional Express routes

A regional express bus (route 320) serving Halifax Stanfield International Airport

Regional Express routes connect outlying areas to the regional centre. A higher fare is charged for these routes.[19]

Also branded as MetroX, there are three Regional Express routes. These started operating in August 2009 and connect Tantallon, the Airport, and Porters Lake, respectively, to Scotia Square in downtown Halifax. The routes are handicap accessible and have facilities for bicycle carriage.[25]

Among the three Regional Express routes, only route 320 (serving the airport) provides service on the weekend.

Rural routes

Rural routes provide service to areas outside the Urban Transit Service Boundary which had transit service before the boundary was adopted.[19] There are three such routes, which connect rural areas to the nearest bus terminal.

Ferry services

Viola Desmond ferry at launch in 2016

Halifax Transit also provides two passenger ferry routes, one connecting downtown Halifax with Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, and the other connecting with Woodside. Each route is serviced by a pair of vessels. The ferry services are integrated with the bus services; the fares are identical, and transfers are accepted between the two systems. The harbour ferries board 1.78 million passengers each year.[2] Each ferry carries up to 398 passengers. All routes are handicap accessible and have provision to carry bicycles.

As of 2023, a third ferry route – connecting downtown Halifax and Bedford – is in planning.[26]

Access-A-Bus

Halifax Transit also provides Access-A-Bus, a dial-a-ride paratransit service for people who cannot use the conventional transit service due to physical or cognitive disability.[27] This was created in 1981, the same year Metro Transit was formed.

In the 2019/20 financial year, the Access-A-Bus service had approximately 178,500 boardings.[2]

Services

A Halifax Transit bus stop sign with new Departures Line info, high contrast route numbers, and Halifax Transit branding. Sign shows westbound routes from stop in front of Lord Nelson arcade on Spring Garden Road east of South Park Street.

Fares and passes

Halifax Transit offers four main fare categories: Adult (16 years & up), Senior (65+ years), Child (5 – 15 years), and Student (for full-time students with valid student photo ID card). Anyone with a ticket, pass or transfer for the regular service can pay the difference in cash fare to use the more expensive Regional Express (MetroX) service. Monthly passes allow for unlimited use of ferries and buses, and are sold through various channels including municipal service centres, drug stores, some supermarkets, and the convenience store at the Bridge Terminal.[28]

A Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) identification card can be used to obtain free travel on Halifax Transit's buses and ferries. A university student bus pass (called U-pass) is available to students of Saint Mary's, Mount Saint Vincent, King's College, Dalhousie, Nova Scotia Community College (Halifax campuses) and Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. The cost is included in tuition fees. Halifax Transit offers a low-income bus pass sold for 50 per cent of the regular price to eligible applicants.[29]

In 2021, Halifax Transit launched a pilot program to provide high school students with free transit passes. The program aims to provide youth with convenient transportation and encourage the use of public transit. The program is currently being piloted at four schools, namely Dartmouth High School, École Mosaïque, École du Sommet, and Prince Andrew High School.[30] In November 2022, council voted to expand the program to four Dartmouth junior high schools.[31]

Transfers are issued upon request on all Halifax Transit buses and ferries. A transfer allows the user to transfer between multiple conventional route buses and ferries travelling in any direction without having to pay an additional fare. A transfer also allows users to transfer to MetroX buses at a reduced fare. Transfers are valid for 90 minutes after the last scheduled stop on the current run of the route where it was issued. Holders of a valid XPass (the monthly pass for the MetroX) do not require transfers.[32]

Schedules and route information

Route information can be accessed through the Halifax Transit Departures number 902 480 8000. Individual route schedules are available on Halifax Transit's website. Most terminals have screens that display anticipated arrival times of buses that service the terminal.

Departures

In early 2016, Halifax Transit released their next-generation AVL-based system called Departures. The system was first launched on May 15, 2016, with the introduction of the Departures Line, and as of July 2016 the rollout of the updated Departures Board that replaces the older GoTime departure displays found at terminals across the system. The Departures Board works similar to the previous GoTime-based departures display, with the exception that instead of showing the next two bus arrival times, will display the bay number and the next bus departure time, either showing the next hour and minute or the number of minutes before the bus departs, or "delayed" if the bus is behind by a certain number of minutes. It will also only show buses set to arrive in the next while, versus the older display which would show "(not scheduled)" for any route not running at that point in time.

The Departures Line works similarly to the previous GoTime IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system. Instead of dialling (902) 480- plus the four-digit number found on bus stop signage, one dials (902)-480-8000 and following the voice responses, one would input the bus stop number to access route departure times. The system gives the estimated departure time if available, scheduled times if the bus is not reporting real-time data or is delayed by a number of minutes, adjusted time to depart when schedule adjustments are made, and will announce when a bus is arriving within the minute.

Accessibility

On December 16, 2016 Halifax Transit began piloting an automated stop announcement system on several bus routes, providing both auditory and visual notice of approaching bus stops, as well as announcing the route of each bus on arrival at a bus stop.[33] By January 30, 2017, all conventional buses provided the automated stop announcement.[34] As of June 8, 2017, all conventional buses in the Halifax Transit fleet were low floor and accessible to wheelchairs.[24]

Although Halifax Transit's vehicle fleet is considered accessible, many of the bus stops are not. At some stops, the lack of an appropriate landing area prevents the deployment of a bus wheelchair ramp. Other stops lack sidewalk connections. Halifax Transit is upgrading bus stops and aims to make all stops accessible by 2030.[35]

Transit routes

Route number structure

As mentioned above, the Moving Forward Together Plan created a new classification system for bus routes, which is reflected in a new route numbering system:

  • Corridor routes (numbered 1-19)
  • Local routes (numbered 20-99)
  • Express routes (numbered 100-199)
  • Regional Express routes (numbered 300-399)
  • Rural routes (numbered 400-499)

Current routes

Handicapped/disabled access Wheelchair – Uses Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses only.
Rush Hour Service Only.
Bicycle facilities Designated Bike Route.
MetroLink Service (see MetroLink section above)
MetroX Service (see MetroX section above)

No.NameTypeFeaturesInner terminalOuter terminalNotes/History
1 Spring Garden Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalMumford Terminal
2 Fairview Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Water Street TerminalLacewood Terminal
3 Crosstown Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Lacewood TerminalMarketplace & Bancroft
4 Universities Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Dalhousie University Lacewood Terminal Used to provide service to Mount Saint Vincent University.
5 Portland Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Barrington & Duke Portland Hills Terminal Replaces old routes 59, 61, and 68 on Portland Street
6ᴀ Woodside Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalWoodside Ferry Terminal Partially replaces old route 63 Woodside
Eastern Passage Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalOceanview Manor Replaces old route 60 Eastern Passage
6ᴄ Heritage Hills Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalSamuel Danial Drive Replaces old route 60 Heritage Hills
7ᴀ Peninsula Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Northridge LoopNorthridge Loop Travels in a clockwise loop
Peninsula Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Northridge LoopNorthridge Loop Travels in a counter-clockwise loop
8 Sackville Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Upper Water StreetSackville Terminal Replaced route 80 Sackville
9ᴀ Greystone - Fotherby Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Upper Water StFotherby & Herring Cove
Herring Cove Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Upper Water StSt Paul's & School
10 Dalhousie Corridor Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Dalhousie UniversityRaymoor/Main
21 Timberlea Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Lacewood TerminalCharles Road Used to service downtown Halifax.
22 Armdale Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford TerminalRagged Lake Transit Centre
24 Leiblin Park Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Inglis/RobieLeiblin & Juniper Shorter version of old route 14 Leiblin Park. No service to downtown.
25 Governors Brook Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford Terminal Titanium Crescent
26 Springvale Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford TerminalDowns & Milsom Replaces route old 5 but no longer travels downtown. Peak only.
28 Bayers Lake Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford Terminal Lacewood Terminal
29 Barrington Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Point Pleasant ParkBayers Road Centre
30ᴀ Clayton Park West Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Lacewood Terminal Lacewood Terminal Travels in a clockwise loop.
30ʙ Clayton Park West Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Lacewood Terminal Lacewood Terminal Travels in a counter-clockwise loop.
39 Flamingo Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge Terminal Lacewood Terminal
41 Dartmouth – Dalhousie Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Dalhousie UniversityBridge Terminal Weekday service only. Route has been temporarily suspended since February 2023 due to staff shortages.
50 Dockyard-Shipyard Local Handicapped/disabled accessBicycle facilities Bridge TerminalHalifax Shipyard Replaced former route 11 Dockyard. Peak only.
51 Windmill Local Handicapped/disabled accessBicycle facilities Bridge TerminalPrincess Margaret & Killkee Peak service extends to Bedford Institute of Oceanography and Joseph Zatzman Dr. in Burnside.
53 Highfield Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Highfield TerminalAlderney Gate Replaced route 53 Notting Park (with simplified routing through Highfield Park and new extension to Alderney Ferry Terminal).
54 Montebello Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalBreeze & Columbo Revised route will service Bridge Terminal
55 Port Wallace Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalWaverley/Charles Keating Revised route, no services past Charles Keating
56 Dartmouth Crossing Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalLamont/Lemlair
57 Portland Estates Local Handicapped/disabled accessBicycle facilities Penhorn TerminalPortland Hills Terminal Peak only, service to Woodside replaced by new route 67
58 Woodlawn Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Portland Hills TerminalPenhorn Terminal Service to Portland Street/Bridge Terminal removed
59 Colby Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Portland Hills TerminalColby Village Service to Portland Street replaced by new route 5.
61 North Preston Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Portland Hills TerminalNorth Preston Turning Loop Partially replaces route old 68 in Cole Harbour. No service to Bridge Terminal.
62 Grahams Grove Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalGaston Road Replaces route 62 Wildwood and route 66 Penhorn.
63 Mount Edward Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Penhorn TerminalPortland Hills Terminal New route for Mount Edward
64 Burnside Local Handicapped/disabled accessBicycle facilities Highfield TerminalMarketplace & Bancroft Replaces route 64 Akerley, no service to Bridge Terminal. Weekday only.
65 Caldwell Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Portland Hills TerminalCaldwell & Cole Harbour
67 Baker Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Woodside Ferry TerminalMic Mac Terminal Partially Replaces route 57 Baker and route 66 Penhorn.
68 Cherry Brook Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Portland Hills TerminalCherry Brook & Main Partially replaces old route 61 in Cole Harbour. Service to Portland replaced by new route 5.
72 Portland Hills Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Portland Hills TerminalCommodore & Countryview
82 First Lake Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Sackville TerminalCobequid Terminal
83 Springfield Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Sackville TerminalSpringfield Estates
84 Glendale Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia SquareSackville Terminal Partially replaced route 87 Glendale, peak extension to Summer St.
85 Millwood Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Sackville TerminalMillwood & Sackville Partially replaced route 82 Millwood
86 Beaverbank Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Sackville TerminalKinsac Community Centre
87 Sackville – Dartmouth Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Bridge TerminalSackville Terminal Partially replaced route 87 Glendale
88 Bedford Commons Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Sackville TerminalBedford Commons Used to service Atlantic Acres. New extended service to Sackville Terminal.
90 Larry Uteck Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Water Street TerminalWest Bedford Park & Ride
91 Hemlock Ravine Local Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford TerminalWest Bedford Park & Ride Partially replaces route 81 Hemlock Ravine
93 Bedford Highway Local Handicapped/disabled accessBicycle facilities Scotia SquareCobequid Terminal Peak only.
123 Timberlea Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Charles Road Weekday service only.
127 Cowie Hill Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Cowie Hill & Peter Saulnier Weekday peak service only.
135 Flamingo Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Mount Saint Vincent University Weekday service only.
136 Farnham Gate Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Wentworth & Dunbrack Weekday service only.
137 Clayton Park Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Regency Park Dr. & Lacewood Dr. Weekday service only.
138 Parkland Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Dunbrack & Ross Weekday service only.
158 Woodlawn Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities University Ave Portland Hills Terminal Replaces route 58 Woodlawn at peak times.
159 Colby Express Express Handicapped/disabled accessBicycle facilities University AveColby Village Replaces route 59 Colby at peak times.
161 North Preston Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities University Ave North Preston Loop Replaces route 61 North Preston at peak times.
165 Caldwell Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities University Ave Astral Drive Replaces route 65 Caldwell at peak times.
168ᴀ Auburn Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities University Ave Auburn Drive Replaces route 68 Cherry Brook at peak times.
168ʙ Cherry Brook Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities University Ave Cherry Brook Road Replaces route 68 Cherry Brook at peak times.
178 Mount Edward Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Woodside Ferry Terminal Cole Harbour Place Peak only. Route has been temporarily suspended since February 2023 due to staff shortages.
179 Cole Harbour Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Woodside Ferry Terminal Cole Harbour Road Peak only. Route has been temporarily suspended since February 2023 due to staff shortages.
182 First Lake Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Summer/Bell Sackville Terminal Replaced route 82 First Lake at peak times.
183 Springfield Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Summer Street Springfield Avenue
185 Millwood Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Millwood & SackvilleBell/Summer Replaced route 85 Millwood at peak times.
186 Beaverbank Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Scotia Square Kinsac Community Centre Peak only.
194 West Bedford Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Summer & TrollopeWest Bedford Park & Ride Weekday service only.
196 Basinview Express Express Handicapped/disabled access Summer & TrollopeHwy 1 & Rockmanor Weekday service only.
320 Airport/Fall River Regional express Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Albemarle & DukeHalifax Stanfield International Airport
330 Tantallon Regional express Bicycle facilitiesHandicapped/disabled access Albemarle & DukeTantallon Rink Park & Ride Weekday service only.
370 Porters Lake Regional express Handicapped/disabled accessBicycle facilities Albemarle & DukePorters Lake Park & Ride Weekday service only.
401 Porters Lake Rural Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Portland Hills TerminalPorters Lake Park & Ride
415 Purcells Cove Rural Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Mumford TerminalYork Redoubt Weekday service only.
433 Tantallon Rural Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Lacewood Terminal Tantallon Weekday service only.

Withdrawn

No.NameStartedEndedNotes
2 Wedgewood19902018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Merged with route 4 to form new route 2; new route 30 replaced Clayton Park section.
3 Gottingen19271989Merged with route 7.
3 Mumford19932012Also called "Manors".
4 Rosedale19492018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 2 and 30.
5 Chebucto19912021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 26, which follows the same routing but terminates at Mumford rather than continuing toward downtown.
6 Quinpool19802017Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. The route overlapped or was close to other routes.
7 Robie19632021Replaced by new routes 7A and 7B Peninsula, which follow similar routing, due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications.
8 Windsor19631999Discontinued due to overlapping service from other routes; Windsor Street portion replaced by route 18.
8 Waterfront20102013Discontinued due to inadequate ridership.
9 Barrington19282017Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Partially replaced by route 29.
11 Macdonald Bridge19551988Merged with route 1, later partially reinstated.
11 Dockyard2022Replaced with route 50 Dockyard-Shipyard under the Moving Forward Together Plan.
12 Flamingo19702003Discontinued and replaced by revised routes 18 and 52 and new route 35.
14 Leiblin Park19702021 Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 24, which follows the same routing, but terminates at Saint Mary's University rather than continuing toward downtown.
15 Purcell's Cove19702019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 415.
16 Stanley Park19951998Replaced by route 14.
16 Parkland20072018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 30 and 39.
17 Saint Mary's19902018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 4.
18 Universities19922018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 4 and 39.
19 Fotherby19911996Reinstated in 2008.
19 Greystone20082017Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 9A.
20 Herring Cove19702017Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 9B.
22 Exhibition Park19932004Reinstated with service to Exhibition Park with the opening of the Ragged Lake Transit Centre in 2010. Service to Exhibition Park was discontinued again in 2017.
23 Timberlea20062018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Express route 123.
26 Shuttle19932008Replaced by increased service on route 52.
30 Glenforest19751999Duplicated route 34 between Lacewood Terminal and downtown Halifax.
31 Main Express19752018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Express routes 135, 136, 137 and 138.
32 Cowie Hill Express19752021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Express route 127, which follows similar routing.
33 Tantallon Express19952018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Express routes 135, 136, 137 and 138 and Rural route 433.
34 Rockingham Express19821990Serviced the Rockingham area.
34 Glenbourne Express19952018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Express routes 135, 136, 137 and 138.
35 Rosedale19952000Serviced the Fairview area. Replaced by extension of Route 21 to downtown.
35 Parkland Express20032018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Express routes 135, 136, 137 and 138.
40 Mumford–Dalhousie20062006Discontinued due to low ridership and redundancy with route 14.
42 Lacewood–Dalhousie20062018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 4.
48 Highfield19901999Serviced the Highfield Terminal in Dartmouth and the Mumford Terminal in Halifax via the MacKay Bridge.
50 Portland Estates19801996Replaced by a revision of route 65.
50 BIO20012004Replaced by a revision of route 51.
52 Crosstown19802018Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 3 and 28.
53 Notting Park19802021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 53, which follows similar routing but terminates at Alderney Gate Terminal.
56 Westphal19801989began at the Bridge Terminal and the Westphal area via Alderney Drive, Ochterloney Street, Prince Albert Road and Main Street. In Westphal, it followed a route that became part of route 10 through Tacoma Centre, Woodlawn Road and the Caledonia Road area.
57 Mic Mac19801989Serviced the Mic Mac Terminal in Dartmouth.
60 Eastern Passage19802021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 6, which follows 3 different branches. Follows the same routing.
61 Bissett19801999Discontinued when service in the Cole Harbour/Forest Hills area was reorganized and the service to Bissett Road was discontinued.
62 Wildwood19832021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 62 and 63.
63 Woodside19892021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 6A.
64 Akerley19802019Rerouted and renamed 64 Burnside due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications.
66 Forest Hills–Woodside Ferry19871989Replaced by route 65 Astral.
66 Penhorn19892021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Partially replaced by new route 62.
68 Auburn19801999Replaced by new route 61 Auburn.
68 Ross Road19992000Serviced Ross Road near Cherry Brook.
71 Forest Hills Express19821989Serviced the Forest Hills/Cole Harbour area of Dartmouth.
78 Mount Edward Express20142021Re-numbered to 178 due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications.
79 Cole Harbour Express20142021Re-numbered to 179 due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications.
80 Sackville19792019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by corridor route 8, which follows the same routing.
81 Bedford19801985
81 Hemlock Ravine20062019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 91.
82 Millwood19802019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 82 and 85.
84 Glendale Express19902019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new local route 84.
85 Bedford Express19801991An express route servicing Bedford.
85 Downsview Express19972019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications.
86 Bedford–Dartmouth Express19871988An express route providing service between Bedford and Dartmouth via the Bedford Bypass (Magazine Hill).
86 Basinview Express19902019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 196.
87 Downsview19901997Discontinued as part of the Sackville area restructuring.
87 Glendale20002019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 84 and 87.
88 Atlantic Acres19931994Provided service to the Atlantic Acres Business Park off of the Hammonds Plains Road in Bedford.
89 Bedford20082019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new routes 91 and 93.
159 Portland Hills Link20052021Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Dartmouth Express routes 159, 161, 165 and 168A/B.
165 Woodside Link20052014 Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Replaced by new conventional route 79.
185 Sackville Link20062019 Handicapped/disabled access Bicycle facilities Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new Express routes 183 Springfield, 185 Millwood, and 186 Beaver Bank, which each follow the same routing as the previous route 185, but continue beyond Sackville terminal to serve various residential areas.
400 Beaver Bank2019Discontinued due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications. Replaced by new route 86.
401 Porters Lake2021Follows same routing, but no longer serves Seaforth/Grand Desert due to Moving Forward Together Plan modifications.
402 Sambro20092017Discontinued due to inadequate ridership.

Rapid Transit Network

In May 2020, Halifax Transit presented a plan to regional council to implement a new Rapid Transit Strategy. The strategy proposes the creation of a new Rapid Transit Network comprising four new bus rapid transit (BRT) lines and three new ferry routes. The estimated capital cost is around C$300-325 million, while operational costs are estimated at $15-22 million.[36] Halifax Regional Council unanimously endorsed the plan on 26 May 2020.[37]

As of 2021, Halifax is seeking funding for the project from other levels of government.[38] Funding for the planning and design of one of the proposed ferry routes, the Halifax-Mill Cove (Bedford) service, was announced in June 2021. Halifax Transit plans to launch the service in 2024.[39]

  • The characters of Phillip and Phillmore the ferry twins from the children's TV show Theodore Tugboat are modelled after the Halifax-Dartmouth ferries.

See also

Notes

  1. The reporting period was the Halifax Transit financial year (i.e. 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020). Ridership was affected in March 2020 by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. Regional Plan 2014 Urban Transit Service Boundary Map (PDF) (Map). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  2. "2019/20 – Year End Performance Measures Report" (PDF). Halifax Transit. 2020.
  3. Wyatt, David. "Halifax, Nova Scotia". All-Time List of Canadian Transit Systems. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  4. "Halifax Transit Budget & Business Plan 2022/23" (PDF). Halifax Transit. February 16, 2022.
  5. "Commuters using sustainable transportation in census metropolitan areas". Statistics Canada. November 29, 2017.
  6. Wyatt, D.A. (2015). All-time list of Canadian transit systems: http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~wyatt/alltime/
  7. Canadian Railroad Historical Association Bulletin 17 (1954) http://www.exporail.org/can_rail/Canadian%20Rail_CRHA_Bulletin_no17_April_1954.pdf Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  8. Cunningham, D. and Artz, D. (2009). The Halifax Street Railway: 1866–1949. Halifax: Nimbus
  9. Leger, P.A. and Lawrence, L.M. (1994), Halifax – City of Trolleycoaches. Windsor ON: Bus History Association
  10. An Act Respecting the Metropolitan Authority of Halifax, Dartmouth and the Municipality of the County of Halifax. Statutes of Nova Scotia. 1978. c. 9.
  11. Halifax Transit brand unveiled The Chronicle Herald
  12. "Halifax Transit's Multi-Year Transformation Underway". Halifax Regional Municipality. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2016. As part of the evolution of our transit system, and in keeping with the brand strategy, the name Metro Transit was changed to Halifax Transit
  13. "Metro Transit diesel leak hits Burnside groundwater". CBC News. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  14. "Transit garage fuel leak cleanup costs spike to $2.5 million". CBC News. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  15. "AG slams city over fuel spill issue". The Chronicle Herald. May 20, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  16. "A Performance Review of Risk Management: Fuel Spill at Halifax Transit" (PDF). Office of the Auditor General. March 2015.
  17. Gillis, Sean (January 6, 2014). "Transit First – Big changes for Metro Transit". Spacing Atlantic. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  18. "Moving Forward Together". Halifax Regional Municipality. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  19. "Moving Forward Together Plan" (PDF). Halifax Transit. 2016.
  20. "Open Letter to Council – Halt Moving Forward, Bring in an Expert (updated)". It's More than Buses. November 18, 2016. Archived from the original on December 24, 2016.
  21. Berman, Pam (November 22, 2016). "Bus routes needed to link Dartmouth communities: business groups". CBC.
  22. Woodford, Zane (March 10, 2021). "Halifax Transit's budget moves forward. Here are the route changes coming this year". Halifax Examiner.
  23. Taplin, Jen (August 31, 2022). "Back to school woes: Halifax Transit cancellations 'frustrating'". SaltWire Network.
  24. Ryan, Haley (June 9, 2017). "Halifax Transit bus, ferry fleet now fully accessible". Metro Halifax. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017.
  25. Halifax Transit, Metro Express page (with planning documents) Archived June 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  26. MacInnis, Jonathan (June 26, 2023). "Ferry service between Bedford and Halifax is on the horizon, city councillor says".
  27. "Access-A-Bus". Halifax Transit. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  28. "Passes". Halifax Transit. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  29. "Low income transit pass program". Halifax Transit. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  30. "Student Pass Pilot Program". Halifax Transit. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  31. Farley, Sam (November 23, 2022). "More students in Dartmouth to get free transit passes". The Signal.
  32. Halifax Transit, 2008 News Archive Archived June 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  33. Halifax Transit Archived December 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Stop Announcements
  34. The Signal January 30 2017.
  35. "Accessibility Strategy" (PDF). Halifax Regional Municipality. April 8, 2021. p. 18.
  36. "Rapid Transit Strategy | Shape Your City Halifax". www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  37. Patil, Anjuli. "Halifax regional council endorses 2 rapid transit projects". CBC News.
  38. "Halifax ready to go with Rapid Transit Strategy". Atlantic Business Magazine. March 16, 2021.
  39. "Planning commences for new commuter ferry between Bedford and Halifax". CBC. June 17, 2021.

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