News
Updated February 9, 2012 - 12:45 pm
 It is about the money - your money. See for yourself.
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Transit Talks Impasse: "It is about the money"
For the full news release, click here.
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Updated February 7, 2012 - 8:30 pm
Council directs HRM bargaining team to take transit proposal to conciliator
For the full news release, click here.
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Transit Strike FAQ's
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Appetite for change at Metro Transit
Public transit costs in HRM are primarily funded in two ways: fare boxes and tax rates. Cost containment measures are vital to our ability to provide the kind of high-calibre,
sustainable, and reliable service the public expects -- now and into the future.
We have well-trained, well-paid transit operators who contribute to the overall success of the system, but we cannot continue to allow our employees to pick their shifts like you pick your lunch in a cafeteria; one item at a time until the tray is full, leaving behind the least popular shifts to be filled - largely on overtime.
Is this cost-effective? No, especially when operators can make
thousands of dollars every year in overtime.
It now takes 24 days for
our operators to pick three
months of work, and still there are 80-100 shifts per week
that Metro Transit scrambles to fill. This is an out dated style of picking shifts, which only a few systems in Canada still employ.
Is this efficient? No, especially when we have operators who can turn down work and still get paid.
We want to see our transit operators behind the wheel, not walking the picket line. But,
first we need a new deal with our workers, a deal that recognizes the need to contain
our costs to help build a better transit system for the 96,000 daily trips taken by HRM citizens.
Let’s get a deal. (Print ad published in local papers February 3, 2012)
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MetroPass & UPass Information
MetroPass
Metro Transit will provide information to customers on how any unused portions
of a bus pass will be honoured after the strike ceases. It is impossible to
determine this in advance without knowing how long the work stoppage will last.
Additional information on how to claim a refund or extend disrupted use of
a pass will be communicated to customers on this website; on Twitter @hfxtransit; through the Transit Retail Outlets; and the HRM Call Centre
at 490-4000 once it can be determined how much service has
been lost.
There are provisions in each UPass agreement
with the participating universities, which outline how they will be reimbursed
for any unused portions during a strike. It is
not possible to determine this in advance without knowing the duration of the strike. Metro Transit will work to ensure that further information on how
this will be made up to students will be provided by the university to their
students, following the conclusion of the strike.
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Updated February 2, 2012 - 5:20 pm
Updated FAQ's on Transit Strike (PDF)
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Updated February 2, 2012 - 1:48 am
Transit strike now in effect
Transit strike now in effect at 1:35 am by ATU Local 508 members. All bus and ferry services, including Access-A-Bus, have ceased operation until further notice. The only exception is for registered AAB dialysis patients, for which alternate travel arrangements have been arranged (see below).
For more information on the work stoppage, click the link below, call 490-4000, or follow us on Twitter @hfxtransit. Customer updates will be provided as new information is available.
We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause our customers, and assure you that HRM remains committed to getting an agreement for citizens that will ensure a sustainable public transit system.
Customer Bulletin Feb.2 (PDF)
HRM News Release - HRM offers compromise, but ATU rejects
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Updated February 1, 2012
Transportation of Access-A-Bus Dialysis Patients will continue in event of strike
HRM will continue to work to the absolute last moment to avoid a transit strike on February 2. However, in the event that a strike does go into effect, Metro Transit would like to assure dialysis patients registered with Access-A-Bus that arrangements have been made for alternate transportation to and from your dialysis appointments.
Dialysis patients will be contacted directly today, February 1, by Access-A-Bus management staff to confirm the arrangements. Alternate service will be provided by either unmarked passengers vans with identifiable, qualified Metro Transit staff driving the vehicle, or Need-A-Lift (depending on the client).
The first priority remains those patients with appointments tomorrow, February 2, with further communication to other clients forthcoming should a strike go into effect February 2.
For more information on the potential strike call 490-4000 or follow us on Twitter @hfxtransit.
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Updated January 31, 2012 - 1:00 pm
HRM tables proposal addressing union concerns, but no agreement yet
(Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012) — After more than 48 hours at the table and significant movement on the part of HRM’s bargaining team, there is still no agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508. If an agreement is not reached this week, ATU Local 508 will be in a position to legally strike at 00:01 on February 2, 2012.
"The ATU was crystal clear about their issues to the public: They wanted no changes to contracting out language and no part-time transit operators. Those issues are no longer part of the HRM proposal," said Metro Transit Director Eddie Robar. "Our team is still here to get an agreement for the benefit of the employees, transit users and taxpayers."
"There is no need for a strike," says Mayor Peter Kelly. "Let's continue to negotiate and get a deal done. My understanding is that talks have not broken down and we have not been advised otherwise."
HRM put forward a new proposal Monday morning that would see Metro Transit operators be the highest paid in Atlantic Canada, while removing previous proposals around contracting out language and part-time bus operators.
Mr. Robar said Transit’s 96,000 daily riders—including many HRM employees—are counting on the two sides to reach a timely agreement without a work stoppage.
Metro Transit customers will be advised on this site as new information is available and on Twitter @hfxtransit.
Customer Bulletin Jan.27 
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Updated January 6, 2012
Take Transit to the Oval*
This winter be sure to drop by the the new Emera Oval located on the Halifax Common for an outdoor skate. There are several Metro Transit bus routes that serve adjacent or nearby bus stops, including:
Cogswell St adjacent to the Oval:
#6 Quinpool
Robie St. between Cogswell & Cunard:
#7 Robie
#17 Saint Mary's
#18 Universities
#42 Lacewood-Dalhousie
#80 Sackville
#81 Hemlock Ravine
#90 Larry Uteck
*Be sure to check each route's schedule to ensure that it provides service on the day of week you wish to travel. For route maps and schedules click here.
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Posted December 20, 2011
Bus Stop #7273 (Mumford Rd & Leppert St)
Due to on-going safety concerns, effective Tuesday, December 20, bus stop #7273 (Mumford Rd & Leppert St, travelling from the Mumford Terminal) has been permanently moved back 75m, from the far-side of the intersection to near-side of the intersection.
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Posted November 29, 2011
Transit presents 5 Big Moves to Transportation Standing Committee
On November 24, Metro Transit presented an information report to the Transportation Standing Committee of Regional Council entitled '5 Big Moves for Transit'.
This report proposes five key steps/projects that Metro Transit needs to implement in order to increase ridership and provide
improved service to HRM citizens. A follow up report will be brought back to the Transportation Standing Committee in the new year with more details on implementation options.
To review the full report click here.
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Posted August 10, 2011
Phase II Access-A-Bus Strategic Plan Implementation
Implementation of the council-approved Access-A-Bus Strategic Plan continues with the next phase of service enhancements to be implemented on August 29, 2011. Click here for more information upcoming service improvements and changes implemented earlier this year.
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Posted July 2011
2011/12 Annual Service Plan
Metro Transit's 2011/12 Annual Service Plan outlines upcoming service and schedule adjustments, infrastructure improvements and other key priorities for this fiscal year, while highlighting the accomplishments and enhancements to transit services during 2010/11.
2011/12 Annual Service Plan
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 Yield to Bus Legislation in effect May 1, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The province is taking steps to improve transit efficiency and safety with legislation that comes into effect May 1, requiring drivers to yield the right of way to transit buses signaling their intention to re-enter the traffic stream.
"Currently, buses must rely on the courtesy of drivers to re-enter traffic.
This legislation will provide clarity for all drivers while helping to reduce schedule delays," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "This legislation will make life better for all road users by improving public transit efficiency and safety."
This legislation was modelled after similar legislation in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The amendment was initially proposed in the fall 2007 sitting of the legislature as a Private Members Bill.
Fines for failing to yield to a transit bus range from $167 to $340, including court costs.
For detailed information, visit www.gov.ns.ca/tran/hottopics/yieldtobus
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Route #3 Mumford: New Name, Same Great Service
March 25, 2011
Metro Transit has renamed the route 3 bus service to '3 Mumford', from its former name of '3 Manors', as part of a new campaign to increase awareness of key destinations served by the route and generate higher ridership levels.
Serving downtown Halifax, to NSCC on Leeds Street, Bayer's Road Centre, and Mumford Terminal, the route 3 Mumford is your new BFF.
This change reflects ongoing work at Metro Transit to increase customer awareness and understanding of its many services.
Route #3 Mumford schedules and route maps can be accessed by clicking here.
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