Future Transit Initiatives

November 18, 2009

Ragged Lake Transit Centre Update

The Ragged Lake Transit Centre is scheduled for completion by summer 2010 and will complement the existing Metro Transit facility and smaller garage, both located in Burnside Industrial Park, Dartmouth, which have currently reached capacity with over 280 buses. The 176,000 square-foot complex is situated on a 16-acre site and will feature two buildings: a 119,990 square-foot Operations Centre and a 55,920 square-foot Service Centre for bus maintenance.

Upon completion, the new Centre will enable metro Transit to operate of an additional 150 buses, with space ultimately for another 50 transit vehicles. The new Transit Centre will also help to cut down on operational costs, which currently must be incurred by running out-of-service buses back and forth across the Halifax Harbour bridges. This will cut down on commuter traffic and result in less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

For photos of the project's progress, please visit:

http://www.halifax.ca/facilities/RaggedLakeTransitCentre.html

October 28, 2009

Five-Year Strategic Operations Plan

Over the past five years, HRM has adopted a Transportation Strategy which further emphasizes the need for increased reliance on public transit to accommodate a greater portion of transportation trips by 2031.

The Draft Strategic Operations Plan for Metro Transit will provide a comprehensive overview of the current system and make recommendations on how HRM should proceed to address the expansion of the transit system, handle higher ridership levels and achieve these new modal split targets.

DRAFT - 5 Year Strategic Operations Plan

July 31, 2009

Canada—Nova Scotia Governments Support Improved Transit Service In Halifax

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and the Member of Parliament for Central Nova, the Honourable Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, along with his worship, Peter Kelly, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), gathered today to celebrate the official ground breaking ceremony for the new Ragged Lake Transit Centre in Ragged Lake Industrial Park. Minister MacKay was also pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s contribution of $16.6 million to the project.

“The Government of Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, understands that public transit plays an important role in strengthening the economy and contributing to a healthier, more sustainable environment,” said Minister MacKay. “For Halifax, this means increased transit services that will create jobs and improve the daily commute for residents and their families.”

“This facility will allow for future growth to meet the ongoing transit needs of HRM.  It will also translate into more jobs and lifestyle choices for citizens, and represents another step in building a greener future for all," said Minister Jennex.

“We are pleased to finally break ground and begin construction on a new $28 million transit operations and maintenance facility,” said Mayor Kelly. “The building of this new transit centre will provide the key ingredient necessary in allowing HRM to move forward to expand our regional Metro Transit bus service. Infrastructure development is a priority for the Municipality as it has far reaching benefits for residents in our community.”

The new Ragged Lake Transit Centre is scheduled for completion by May 2010 and will complement the existing Metro Transit facility and a smaller garage, both located in Burnside Industrial Park, Dartmouth, which have currently reached capacity with over 280 buses.

Upon completion, the new Centre will allow for the operation of an additional 150 buses, with space ultimately for another 50 transit vehicles. The new Transit Centre will also help to cut down on operational costs, which presently must be incurred by running out-of-service buses back and forth across the harbour bridges. This will cut down on commuter traffic and result in less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

When completed, this 176,000 square-foot complex on a16-acre site will feature two buildings: a 119,990 square-foot Operations Centre; and a 55,920 square foot Service Centre for bus maintenance.

Supporting public transit is a priority for the Government of Canada. Investments like this will stimulate the economy, create jobs and provide long-term community benefits. Above and beyond today’s announcement, Canada’s 2009 Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years.

Contacts:

Jay Paxton

Press Secretary

Office of the Honourable Peter MacKay

Phone: 613-996-3100

Chris Day

Press Secretary

Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister

Phone: 613-991-0700       

Mayor Peter Kelly

Halifax Regional Municipality

Phone: 902-490-4010                  

Lori Patterson

Metro Transit, Transportation & Public Works

Halifax Regional Municipality

Phone: 902-490-6609                                    

Cell: 902-476-5975

March 2009

Transit Funding Options - Presentation to Council

The pdf documents below include background information for the presentation entitled "Transit Funding Options" and the presentation itself, which was tabled on March 3, 2009 at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

A copy of the report can be found at www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/090303cow3.pdf.

Background Information

Transit Funding Options Presentation

Posted 2008:

HRM Regional Transit Plan

The HRM Regional Transit Plan for Park & Ride, Express and Rural Transportation Services (PDF 2.51 MB)

HRM's New Transit Implementation Strategy Unveiled

Metro Transit moves forward with a 5 Year Approach (Report in PDF format)

Planning for New and Expanded Services

Halifax Regional Municipality and Metro Transit are moving forward on the implementation of a comprehensive & strategic 5 year transit enhancement plan, which will provide HRM citizens with new, sustainable transit service options to accommodate the growth of our region. The 5 Year Approach was approved in principle at Regional Council this past week.

Pending budget approvals for each project, the transit plan includes a new satellite garage, conventional route service expansion, new Rural Express Service for Hwy. 103, 107 and 118/02 corridors, expanded MetroLink service for Clayton Park & Spryfield, transit corridors to improve trip times, new downtown shuttle service, rural local bus service, upgraded farebox technology, transit security, terminal upgrades for Lacewood, Bridge and Burnside, and introduction of HarbourLink service from Bedford and surrounding communities.

The development and implementation of all these services will be advanced strategically as certain projects are contingent on the completion of others. Priority one is the siting and building of satellite transit garage, to house the expanding transit fleet and enable further transit service expansion.