Everyone is responsible for making a ride on public transportation safe and enjoyable.
Halifax Transit hopes that by clearly outlining appropriate and inappropriate behaviour on public transit, passengers will be self-regulating. You may face serious consequences for violating Halifax Transit policy, from being removed from Halifax Transit vehicles to laying charges through Halifax Regional Police.
Prohibited behaviour
Behaviours which are not tolerated on any Halifax Transit vehicles include:
- Verbal or physical harassment (including threats, inappropriate remarks, unsolicited touching, intimidation, leering, etc.) directed at bus operators or other passengers
- Using profanity or any type of physical altercations (including horse play which may be interpreted as fighting) while riding any Halifax Transit vehicle
- Any behaviour which causes damage, in any form, to a Halifax Transit vehicle – graffiti, burn marks, etc.
Should any of the above behaviours be observed on any vehicle Halifax Transit operators have the authority to deny passengers the right to board Halifax Transit vehicles or remove any passenger who may be causing disturbance or damaging the vehicle. If the passenger refuses and continues disruptive behaviour, supervisors or the police may be contacted.
Halifax Transit operators and supervisors are trained in conflict resolution. If you feel that you are subject to inappropriate or dangerous circumstances on a Halifax Transit vehicle, or on transit property, we encourage you to:
- Notify the bus operator – they will assist you
- Report the incident to 311
- In an emergency, contact 911 immediately
Encouraged behaviour
Keeping the following suggestions in mind will make transit rides more pleasant for everyone:
- Always move to the back of the bus upon boarding and when the operator asks
- Keep your voice at a reasonable and considerate level
- Listen to your personal audio with headphones and at a low volume out of respect for others
- Keep cell phones conversations to a minimum and at a low volume
- Whenever possible, share seats with those who may require them give up your seat for a senior citizen or for small children as both a kind gesture and to create a safer ride for everyone (there’s less chance of able-bodied riders falling while standing)
- Remember that some people suffer from allergies to scented products and to avoid wearing strongly scented perfumes on board transit vehicles