Why are Halifax Transit fares increasing?
Fares are increasing to reflect increased levels of service and increased operational costs. A jurisdictional scan shows that Halifax Transit fares are consistently lowest or second-lowest when compared with Canadian cities of similar population and transit fleet size.
Regional Council approved the motion to increase fares on January 30, 2019. Regional Council approved the fare by-law amendment on September 17, 2019. As a result, Halifax Transit fares will increase as of September 30, 2019.
How much will fares cost after the increase?
Regional Council has approved the following fares at the second reading of by-law U-105. Regional Council has also approved a 6-month pilot program for children under 13 (ages 0-12) to ride free.:
| Fare Category | Cash Fare | 10 Tickets | Monthly Pass | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fare Category | Cash Fare | 10 Tickets | Monthly Pass | Transfer |
| Child (ages 0-12) | Free | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Youth (ages 13-17) / Senior (ages 65+) | $2.00 | $18.00 | $60.00 | Free |
| Adult (ages 18-64) | $2.75 | $24.75 | $82.50 | Free |
| Fare Category | Cash | XPass | With ticket, Monthly pass, UPass, or transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fare Category | Cash | XPass | With ticket, Monthly pass, UPass, or transfer |
| Child (ages 0-12) | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Youth (ages 13-17) / Senior (ages 65+) | $3.00 | $90.00 | $1.00 |
| Adult (ages 18-64) | $4.25 | $127.50 | $1.50 |
When will the rate increase take place?
The rate increase will take place Monday, September 30, 2019
Is the Seniors fare being eliminated?
No, Senior fare will still be discounted relative to Adult fare.
What if I can’t afford to pay the new fare?
Halifax Transit has two programs to assist low income riders – the Low Income Transit Pass and the Department of Community Services Transit Pass.
Will I be able to use the tickets I’ve already bought?
Yes. Any tickets that have been purchased will be honoured.
When will I be able to buy my October monthly pass?
October monthly passes will become available at participating retailer locations on September 21, 2019.
How long will you offer the free bus service for children pilot?
The pilot program will run from September 30, 2019 until March 31, 2020. At that point the pilot will be reviewed to decided if it should become permanent.
Why offer free bus service for children ages 12 and under?
Halifax Transit is recommending the introduction of a pilot program providing free and unlimited transit to HRM youth 12 and under. Based on direction from the Integrated Mobility Plan and the Youth Services Plan, encouraging children to ride the bus from a young age will help create transit users for life. This will also assist the United Way Poverty Solutions program by providing freedom of movement for children.
Will I be able to refund my Child tickets if children ride for free as of September 30?
No, Child tickets will not be refunded. Be sure to plan accordingly as September 30 approaches. These tickets will still be valid for Youth and Seniors after September 30, so one option is to give leftover Child/Senior tickets and passes to local charities.
Why are you eliminating MetroLink pricing?
Eventually, all MetroLink routes will be replaced in favour of Express routes as part of the Moving Forward Together Plan. These routes will still offer express service but will cost standard transit fare rather than premium. The premium fare is being eliminated in advance of the routing changes to ensure a smooth transition. Now that Regional Council has approved the fare recommendations, passengers will be able to ride MetroLink routes with conventional passes, tickets and cash fare as of September 30, 2019.
What will happen to UPasses?
UPasses fares are determined through an existing partnership between Halifax Transit and participating post-secondary institutions. Those fares will not change with this amendment.