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Accessible Low-Floor (ALF) Buses |
Updates November 2009
As of August 2009, the following Metro Transit conventional routes are fully accessible:
#3 Manors, #6 Quinpool, #7 Robie, #9 Barrington, #14 Leiblin Park, #15 Purcells Cove, #16 Parkland, #17 Saint Mary's, #18 Universities, #19 Greystone, #51 Shannon, #53 Notting Park, #54 Montebello, #56 Dartmouth Crossing, #61 Auburn/North Preston, #63 Woodside, #66 Penhorn, #72 Portland Hills, #87 Downsview/Halifax, #88 Duke, #89 Bedford, #159 Portland Hills Link, #165 Woodside Link, #185 Sackville Link, and #330 MetroX.
Metro Transit’s Ferry service is also fully accessible.
Please refer to the Schedules and Route Maps for specific route information.
Metro Transit is committed to providing accessible services to its clients through its system of accessible low floor buses on both conventional , MetroX, and MetroLink routes, Access-A-Buses, and Ferries.
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What is the Accessible Low Floor (ALF) bus?
 The Accessible Low Floor (ALF) bus service provides easier access for existing transit customers, and increased mobility for Metro's accessible community with features including:
- no steps - entry and exit
- bus floor lowers to curb level
- entry access ramp for quick and safe wheelchair and assisted mobility devices
- wheelchair securement provisions for two chairs
- electronically controlled heating system
- extra wide passenger doors
- large electronic destination signs
- improved panoramic windows
- improved, comfortable seating for 36 passengers, with wider aisles
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What do I need to know before I can use the ALF service?
- Most manual wheelchairs and some electric
wheelchairs can be accommodated on ALFs.
- Scooters are currently not permitted on the buses due to safety regulations.
- A wheelchair must be no wider than 30 inches
and no longer than 48 inches. If you are not sure
if your wheelchair can be accommodated, or
whether you will be able to manoeuver into the
wheelchair space provided, please contact Metro
Transit at 490–6614 and an orientation session
will be set up.
- You must be able to board and disembark the
bus, deposit the fare; and manouevre into the
wheelchair space independently.
- If you are using a wheelchair, you must ensure it is positioned properly, so that it can be secured in the tie-down system.
- Bus drivers are responsible for properly
restraining the wheelchair, using the tiedown
system.
- Passengers who require assistance in boarding must be accompanied by a companion.
- When both wheelchair spaces on an ALF
bus are occupied, or if the bus is full with
a standing load of passengers and the
bus operator cannot board a passenger in
a wheelchair, he will advise the wheelchair
passenger that they will have to wait for
the next ALF bus. The Bus Operator will
then notify the Transit Control Centre of
the overload situation.
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How do I know it's an ALF route?
 Look for the International Symbol of Accessibility on the designated bus stop signs and on all four sides of the bus. If you see a bus with these
decals travelling along a route with bus
stops also marked with these symbols, it will
signify that a fully accessible low floor bus
is in service.
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If I see an accessible low floor (ALF) bus on another
undesignated route can I use it?
ALF buses displaying the Accessible Low Floor
Symbol, will be in operation on other Metro Transit
routes. However, this does not necessarily mean that
the entire route it is servicing is accessible, as all the
bus stops may not offer suitable conditions for
boarding and disembarking from the bus.
Also, an accessible route requires that a certain
number of ALF buses must be operating on it,
otherwise there is no guarantee there will be an
ALF bus available when you wish to make your
return trip. Metro Transit plans to introduce more
designated ALF bus routes as resources allow us
to acquire more low-floor buses and adapt our bus
stops accordingly.
If you feel that you could benefit from ALF Bus
Service in your area, please contact us at 490–4000
and let us know.
When do ALF buses run?
Our Schedules & Route Maps page lists all of Metro Transit's routes and indicates which routes are currently designated ALF routes.
Questions or Concerns?
Call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000 or e-mail: contactHRM[at]halifax.ca
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