2008 Archives

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Posted Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Route & Schedule Adjustments

Effective Sunday, November 23, 2008

----------

Route #14 - Leiblin Park

• 7:13 am additional service from Scotia Square

• 7:55 am additional service from Mumford to Scotia Square

• 3:40 pm additional service from Mumford to Scotia Square

• 4:58 pm additional service from Scotia Square

Route #19 - Greystone to Mumford Terminal

• Additional service provided from 6 am to 10 pm

• Route #19 will provide accessible low floor service

Route #26 - Shuttle

• Service discontinued - increases on Route #52

Route #32 - Cowie Hill

• 7:06 am additional service from Mont St & Herring Cove Rd

• AM departure adjustments

Route #52 - Crosstown

• Two-directional peak service extended

• 6:35 am & 7:06 am additional service from Ilsley Ave.

• 7:53 am additional service from Chain Lake Dr.

• 4:01 pm additional service from Wright / MacDonald

Route #61 - Auburn/North Preston

• 6:38 am additional service from Portland Hills

Terminal

• 4:10 pm additional service from Scotia Square

Route #63 - Woodside

• Two-directional peak service

Route #64 - Akerley

• 3:25 pm additional service from Bridge Terminal

Route #65 - Astral

• Additional am & pm service between Penhorn

Terminal and Woodside

Route #80 - Sackville

• 8 am additional service from Cobequid Terminal

to Scotia Square

Route #82 - Millwood

• 3:59 pm additional service from Sackville to

Cobequid Terminals

Route #83 - Springfield

• 5:30 pm & 6:20 pm additional service from Sackville

Terminal

Route #86 - Basinview

• 7:20 am additional service from Rockmanor Dr.

• 5:05 pm additional service from Summer /Bell

Route #89 - Bedford

• Offers weekday service travelling from Cobequid Terminal to Lacewood Terminal via the Bedford Highway, Hammonds Plains Road, Bluewater Road, Kearney Lake Road and Parkland Drive to Lacewood Terminal and back.

(Modified routing may be in effect until road improvements are completed)

Posted Friday, October 3, 2008

Alderney Ferry Reduced to ½ hour Frequency beginning October 15

Effective Wednesday, October 15, 2008, ferry passengers are advised that the Alderney ferry service will be temporarily reduced to one vessel and will operate on one half hour frequency.

The Alderney ferry will leave the Dartmouth Terminal at its regular scheduled time of 6:30 am.

It is anticipated that the vessel will remain out of service for several weeks, due to scheduled maintenance as required by Transport Canada.

The Woodside Ferry will continue operation of its regular schedule.

For additional information, contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

ferry

Posted Monday, August 25, 2008

Bus Shelter Replacements

Metro Transit is currently replacing a portion of its concrete bus shelters and expects to finish installation within 2 weeks.

Bus stops affected are:

Route # 15 – Stop 8120 - Purcells Cove @ Williams Lake Rd.

Route # 20 – Stop 6859 - Herring Cove Rd @ Fotherby Dr.

Route # 58 – Stop 6574 - Dorothea Dr. @ Topsail Blvd.

Route # 59 – Stop 6466 - Colby Dr. @ Delta Dr.

Route # 60 – Stop 8001 - Pleasant St. farside Corsair

Route # 66 – Stop 6731 - Gaston Rd opposite Cleary Dr.

Route # 80 – Stop 7299 - Sackville Dr. farside Leaside Dr.

Route # 84, 87 & 88 – Stop 6749 - Glendale Dr. opposite Chandler Dr.

Route # 84, 87 & 88 – Stop 6737 - Glendale Dr. opposite Smokey Dr.

For additional information, contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Remember to use the 480 prefix for GoTime!

Last year, Metro Transit introduced a new GoTime system that provides real-time departure times of the next two buses from any Metro Transit bus stop we service.

During the system upgrade, the GoTime number prefix was changed from 465 + bus stop number to 480 + the bus stop number.

To assist in the transition, Metro Transit had kept the 465 prefix live until this week.

Please be advised that the 465 prefix will be discontinued by end of week and schedule information will no longer be available at that number.

For GoTime information, passengers are asked to dial 480 + the bus stop number.

Find bus routes and departure times online at www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/GoTime

Posted Friday, July 4, 2008

Metro Transit’s Transfer System is Changing Colour!

Beginning Tuesday, July 15, 2008, Metro Transit will be introducing a new transfer system to its passengers.

Coloured transfers will now be issued on all Metro Transit services. One randomly chosen coloured transfer will be issued daily. This new identification system will allow transit operators to quickly and accurately identify the valid transfer and avoid confusion or delays.

More importantly, however, is that transfers will now be valid for up to 90 minutes after the last time point on the route (increased from the existing 60 minute timeframe) and can be used inbound or outbound on any Metro Transit routes and services. This new format will allow passengers to use Metro Transit for short, quick trips or errands without paying an additional fare.

Punch marks will continue to specify the issue date, while the tear away

will indicate the transfer’s expiration time. Passengers may notice that on the reverse side of the coloured transfers, the first two sentences no longer apply and therefore, should be disregarded. This will be revised during the next printing.

A specific coloured transfer will be consistently used for ferry and Access-A-Bus services.

As is current practice, Metro Transit asks that passengers request the transfers when boarding the bus or ferry.

Please note that additional transfer fare remains in effect for MetroLink and Community Transit.

For additional information, please call the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Thursday, November 13, 2008

Transit Schedule for the 13th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights

This year’s parade kick’s off the holiday season on Saturday,
November 15, beginning at 6 pm.

Metro Transit will be on regular Saturday service, with supplemental service available as required.

The Alderney ferry will be on 15 minute schedule beginning at 4 pm until 7:45 pm, or until the crowds have abated.

For further details on specific Metro Transit routes and schedules, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Herring Cove @ Cowie Hill – Temporary Bus Stop Relocation

Due to ongoing construction, the inbound bus stop at Herring Cove Rd & Cowie Hill has been temporarily relocated. The stop is now placed on Herring Cove Road prior to the intersection of Herring Cove & Cowie Hill.

The existing shelter has been removed but will be returned when construction is completed.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2 to 3 weeks.

For information, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Friday, November 7, 2008

Remembrance Day Transit Schedule

On Remembrance Day, Tuesday, November 11th, Metro Transit buses & Access-A-buses will operate on holiday schedules.

The Alderney Ferry Service will also operate on holiday schedule, providing half hour service, with the first boat leaving Dartmouth at 7:30 AM, an hour later than usual. The last vessel departs Halifax at 11:45 PM.

There will be no Woodside Ferry Service, MetroLink or Community Transit service in operation on Remembrance Day.

Metro Transit buses will pause on Friday, Remembrance Day at 11 AM to observe a moment of silence in honour of Canada's War veterans.

Metro Transit bus operators will pull any in-service buses to the side of the road where possible and along with their passengers and many others, pay tribute "Lest we forget" to our war veterans.

All services will resume regular operation on Wednesday, November 12th.

For further details on specific Metro Transit routes and schedules, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Friday, October 3, 2008

Construction on Ochterloney Street Beginning Saturday, October 4

Passengers are advised that construction on Ochterloney Street @ Alderney Drive will begin Saturday, October 04, 2008.

The Route #54 to Alderney will be detoured via Ochterloney, left on King St., right on Queen St., left on Alderney Dr. to Alderney Terminal.

As Alderney Dr. northbound will be closed between Queen and Ochterloney, buses will use a temporary stop on Alderney Dr. near Queen St.

The Route #54 will be required to detour for approximately 3 weeks.

For additional information, please contact the HRM Call centre at 311.

Posted Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Route #3 Detour in Effect

Due to construction on Victoria Road @ Queen Street, passengers are advised of the following detour:

Queen St, left on Green St, right Barrington St, to Inglis St, right on Bland St, left Victoria Rd to regular routing.

The detour will be in effect for approximately 4 to 5 weeks.

For information, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Elton John & D250 Rockin’ the Free World Concerts this Weekend

On September 26 & 27, Metro Transit will be providing additional ferry service after midnight in order to accommodate concert-goers to and from the downtown core.

Ferry service will operate on a ½ hour frequency beginning from Alderney at 12:15 am, with the last ferry leaving Halifax terminal at 12:45 am.

Additional transit buses will be on stand by to provide supplementary service if necessary.

For additional information, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Tuesday, August 12, 2008 (UPDATED INFORMATION)

Upcoming Route & Schedule Adjustments, effective August 31, 2008

Please note the following route & schedule adjustments effective August 31, 2008. For exact timetable information, visit our website or refer to the updated Rider’s Guide, available August 22 at most retail outlets.

#1 Spring Garden – Increase to 15 minute frequency from 11 am to 6 pm Sundays
#18 Universities - 7 minute frequency adjustement to afternoon trips
#21 Lakeside/Timberlea - AM peak will depart Alma/Dutch Village 3 minutes earlier
#26 Shuttle - Sunday service suspended
#41 Dartmouth/Dalhousie – Service resumes
#42 Lacewood/Dalhousie – Service resumes
#52 Crosstown – 30 minute all day service
#63 Woodside – New ALF route - 30 minute midday (weekday) service, with service extended to Penhorn
#82 Millwood – 30 minute service, midday, off peak
#84 Glendale – Leaving Sackville Terminal at 5:57 am

For additional information, contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Friday, October 03, 2008

Halifax Ferry Terminal Construction

On Monday, October 6, the main entrance of the Halifax Ferry Terminal will be closed to pedestrian traffic and ferry passengers will be detoured to the west terminal entrance.

The detour is expected to be in effect for one day only.

We ask passengers to exercise caution when using the ferry terminal entrance and sidewalks.

For additional information, please contact the HRM Call centre at 311.

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Elton John & D250 Rockin’ the Free World Concerts this Weekend

On September 26 & 27, Metro Transit will be providing additional ferry service after midnight in order to accommodate concert-goers to and from the downtown core.

Ferry service will operate on a ½ hour frequency beginning from Alderney at 12:15 am, with the last ferry leaving Halifax terminal at 12:45 am.

Additional transit buses will be on stand by to provide supplementary service if necessary.

For additional information, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

concert

Posted Thursday, September 25, 2008

Closure of Chebucto Rd from Connaught Ave to Mumford Terminal

On Saturday, September 27, 2008 only, passengers travelling to Mumford Terminal can expect service detours & delays due to on-going construction.

Outbound detour: Chebucto, right on Connaught, left on Bayers, left on East Perimeter Rd (HSC), to Mumford Terminal.

Inbound detour: East Perimeter Rd, right on Bayers, right on Connaught, to Chebucto.

Bus stops will be signed to direct passengers to alternate locations.

For additional information, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

detour

Posted Friday, September 19, 2008

Blues Festival with Edgar & Johnny Winter at Alderney Landing

Beginning Friday September 19 until Sunday, September 21, Metro Transit will be extending its Alderney ferry service until 1 am.

Extra ferry service will operate on a 30 minute frequency, with ferry service to Halifax from Alderney at 12 midnight and 12:30 am. Ferry service from Halifax begins at 12:15 am, with the last ferry returning to Alderney at 12:45 am.

For additional information, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.

Posted Friday, July 25, 2008

Detour for Barrington & Inglis

Effective Wednesday, July 23, 2008, road construction will begin on Barrington @ Inglis.

This will require a detour for Routes #3 & #9.

Route #9 to downtown will detour via Inglis, onto South Park, to Barrington to regular routing.
Route #9 to Point Pleasant Park will detour via Barrington, onto South, to South Park, to Inglis to regular routing.
Route #3 will depart Joe Howe Manor on Victoria Rd via Victoria, (r) South Park, (r) south, (l) Queen to regular routing.

This detour will be in effect for approximately three weeks.

Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Porter's Lake Community Transit - Introduction of Saturday Service

Beginning Saturday, July 5th, 2008, Porter’s Lake Community Transit will provide Saturday service until Saturday, September 6th inclusive.

Regular weekday route & transit fares are in effect.

Posted Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Concert on the Common, Saturday, August 30, 2008

Special Shuttle Service:

In order to ensure concert-goers efficient and easy access to and from the Concert on the Common site, four (4) special concert shuttle routes will provide service from the outskirts of HRM to colour-designated concert shuttle staging areas within a 10 minute walking distance to the concert site.

The concert shuttle service will begin Saturday, August 30, beginning at 12 noon, providing 30 minute frequency service inbound until 8 pm

Beginning at 10 pm, shuttle service will reverse its routing and resume from the same concert shuttle staging areas on a ‘load & go’ basis until 1:30 am

Special shuttle fares will be $2 each way. Cash fares only will be accepted shuttles. No regular Metro Transit passes or transfers will be accepted or issued

Special shuttles will provide Low-Floor Accessible service

Blue Shuttle (from South Centre Mall to Windsor St.)

Beginning at 12 noon until 8 pm from South Centre Mall, shuttle will provide 30 minute service inbound, with a stop at Punch Bowl on Herring Cove Rd. to the concert shuttle staging area at Windsor St.

Return service will resume at 10 pm, departing from the same blue staging area on a ‘load & go’ basis until the last departure back to South Centre Mall at 1:30 am.

Orange Shuttle (from Portland Hills Terminal to Cogswell St.)

Beginning at 12 noon until 8 pm from Portland Hills Terminal, shuttle will provide 30 minute service inbound, with limited stops at Penhorn; Mic Mac Terminal; Maybank (Park & Ride lot); Highfield Terminal; to the concert shuttle staging area at Cogswell St.

Return service will resume at 10 pm, departing from the same orange staging area on a ‘load & go’ basis until the last departure back to Portland Hills Terminal at 1:30 am.

Green Shuttle (from Lacewood Terminal to Windsor St.)

Beginning at 12 noon until 8 pm from Lacewood Terminal, shuttle will provide 30 minute service inbound to Mumford Terminal; then to the concert shuttle staging area at Windsor St.

Return service will resume at 10 pm, departing from the same green staging area on a ‘load & go’ basis until the last departure back to Lacewood Terminal at 1:30 am.

Red Shuttle (from Sackville Terminal to Cogswell St.)

Beginning at 12 noon until 8 pm from Sackville Terminal, shuttle service will provide 30 minute service inbound to the Cobequid Terminal; then to the concert staging area at Cogswell St.

Return service will resume at 10 pm, departing from the same red staging area on a ‘load & go’ basis until the last departure back to Sackville Terminal at 1:30 am.

Ferry Service:

Regular Saturday Alderney ferry service will be in operation beginning at 6:30 am (please refer to Riders’ Guide for details)

Additional ferry service from Alderney Landing beginning at 10 am, providing 15 minute service until 12:45 am (last scheduled crossing from Halifax)

Regular fares apply - passes and transfers will be accepted on the ferry

Access-A-Bus & Accessible Transit Service:

AAB service will be available for registered AAB users. Please call the AAB dispatch centre in advance for reservations

Conventional Accessible Low-Floor (ALF) routes & ferries are accessible

Regular fares apply

Please note: Metro Transit will allow its passengers to transport folding chairs on transit buses & ferries on concert day.

For detailed information, please refer to the Special Edition GoTimes (Concert on the Commons), call the HRM Call Centre at 311 (from 7 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week) or visit www.halifax.ca/metrotransit

Posted Thursday, August 21, 2008

Weir Rockin Concert, Saturday, August 23, 2008

Free service will be provided for the upcoming Weir Rockin Concert on Saturday, August 23, beginning at 4 pm, from the Sackville Terminal to Weir Field in Upper Sackville.

Service will be on a load & go basis until the venue is cleared following the concert, which is scheduled to end at 11 pm.

For information on the Weir Concert, please visit www.weirrockin.com

Posted Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Extended Alderney Ferry Service for the Busker Festival, from August 7th to 17th

Metro Transit will extend service on the Alderney Ferry (from Dartmouth to Halifax) in conjunction with the Halifax Buskers Event, August 7-17th, 2008. The additional ferry service will operate as follows:

Week One

Service extended by one hour each evening on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; extended by 6 hours on Sunday evening.

Thursday, August 7th - Last departure from Halifax at 12:45 AM
Friday, August 8th - Last departure from Halifax at 12:45 AM
Saturday, August 9th - Last departure from Halifax at 12:45 AM
Sunday, August 10th - Last departure from Halifax at 11:45 PM

Week Two

Service extended by one hour each evening on Thursday, Friday & Saturday; extended by 3 hours on Sunday evening.

Thursday, August 14th- Last departure from Halifax at 12:45 AM
Friday, August 15th - Last departure from Halifax at 12:45 AM
Saturday, August 16th -Last departure from Halifax at 12:45 AM
Sunday, August 17th - Last departure from Halifax at 8:45 PM

Regular Fares apply

New Bus Stop Signs & GoTime System Upgrade for Transit

On Friday June 29, 2007, Metro Transit announced that there will be upcoming changes to its bus stop signs and the GoTime bus tracking system. Beginning July 3 2007, and continuing over the next few months, new bus stop signs will be installed at all 2500 bus stops in HRM. The signs feature a new design and format, which includes a new GoTime number and prefix of 480 to access the GoTime system.

The sign replacement should be complete this summer, in time for the new set of schedule adjustments and distribution of the updated Riders’ Guides and Route Maps. The new Riders’ Guides, effective August 19 2007, will feature the new GoTime numbers to ease the transition for passengers.

These changes are the result of the Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) pilot project that is occurring throughout HRM. Phase one includes the replacement of the current GoTime system with an upgraded version, which once implemented will be much more efficient for both operations staff and our passengers.

During the transition period of switching from the old to the new GoTime system, passengers will not have regular access to real time departures from each stop; however, scheduled time will still be available.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause to transit passengers. More information on how to use the new system will be communicated over the next few months. For more information on the system upgrade, contact the HRM Call Centre at 311 or visit the Schedules & Route Maps section of our website.

Posted Thursday, June 26, 2008

Canada Day Service Schedule

On Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1st), Metro Transit’s regular & Access-A-Bus services will be operating on regular holiday schedule. Please note that MetroLink & Community Transit will not be in service.

The Alderney & Halifax ferry will begin operations at 7:30 am, with 30 minute service until 12 noon. Frequency will increase to every 15 minutes until the end of the fireworks. Regular 30 minute service will resume until 11:45 pm for the last crossing from Halifax to Dartmouth. Please note the Woodside ferry will not be in service.

Road Construction Underway On Robie Street

Due to ongoing construction, Metro Transit would like to advise its passengers to expect minor service delays on Robie Street.

Construction on Robie Street, from Cunard Street to Quinpool Road, is scheduled to be completed by early June.

The work consists of resurfacing of all lanes (both south and northbound), as well as some sidewalk and curb on both east and west sides.

During the peak hours of 7:00am to 9:00am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm all traffic lanes will be open. Outside of the peak hours there will be lane closures to accommodate construction with a minimum of one lane being maintained in each direction.

Old Sackville Road Intersection Project

Due to ongoing construction, Metro Transit would like to advise its passengers to expect minor service delays at the Sackville Terminal.

On Monday May 12, construction will commence at the intersection of Old Sackville Road and Beaver Bank Connector. The project is scheduled for completion by June 2, 2008.

The work generally consists of adding a new left hand turn lane and new sidewalk, curb and gutter on Old Sackville Road from Walker Avenue to the Beaver Bank Connector.

During the peak hours of 7:00am to 9:00am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm all traffic lanes will be open. Outside of the peak hours there will be lane closures to accommodate construction with a minimum of one lane being maintained in each direction.

Posted May 14, 2008

Detour - Desmond Avenue

Due to ongoing construction on Desmond Ave, all buses servicing Bayers Rd Shopping Centre will be detoured.

- Outbound buses travelling on Bayers Rd will continue on Bayers Rd to Joseph Howe Dr then resume regular routing.

- Outbound buses travelling on Joseph Howe Dr will continue on Joseph Howe Dr to resume regular routing.

- Inbound buses that would travel on Bayers Rd will detour by Joseph Howe Dr, left on Bayers Rd to resume regular routing.

- Inbound buses that would travel on Joseph Howe Dr after leaving Bayers Rd shopping Centre will continue on Joseph Howe Dr.

Temporary bus stops are located on Bayers Rd at Rowe Ave.

The detour is expected to be in effect until the end of the week.

Posted May 14, 2008

Detour on Route #3

Beginning Tuesday, May 20th, Metro Transit are advised that due to construction, a section of Queen Street (in front of the Sobey's), will be closed for approximately 1 week.

Route #3 will be required to detour as follows:

- From Morris St (eastbound), right on Queen St, left on South St, right on Barrington St, right on Green St, left on Queen, right on Victoria to Joe Howe Manor.

From Joe Howe Manor, regular routing to Green St, then left on Queen, right on Victoria Rd, right on South Park, right on South St, left on Queen St to resume regular routing.

Temporary signage will be in place directing passengers to the appropriate Metro Transit stop locations.

All regular stops will be serviced on detour routing.

Posted May 15, 2008

Bluenose Marathon – Scheduled Delays and Detours

In order to accommodate the Bluenose Marathon this weekend, Metro Transit would like to advise its passengers to expect service delays and detours on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Saturday, May 17, beginning at 10 AM

Route #7 southbound will not require detours but minor service delays expected at the intersection of Gottingen & Cogswell St.
Routes #1, #7, #10 & #14/61 westbound will not be affected.
Routes #7, #18 & #80 northbound will be unable to service stops between Quinpool Rd and Cunard St. Buses will detour left on Quinpool Rd to Windsor St, right on Windsor to Cunard. Route #18 will continue along Windsor to normal routing, while routes #7 & #80 will turn right on Cunard to Robie, left onto Robie and return to normal routine.
Routes #7, #18 & #80 southbound on Robie St will not be affected.

Sunday, May 18, beginning at 8 AM

Metro Transit urges passengers to allow for significant service delays and detours on all major bus routes, beginning at 8 AM until early afternoon.

The Alderney Ferry will begin service at 8 AM from the Dartmouth-Alderney Landing.

For detailed routing information on Sunday morning, please contact the HRM Call Centre at 311.