For an introduction to the Halifax Transit service changes starting November 20, 2023 click here.
- Why are these changes happening? Weren’t there a bunch of changes made in November 2021?
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Halifax Transit is implementing the Moving Forward Together Plan because as our city evolves, so do our public transit needs. Service changes described in the plan are being implemented over several years and this set of changes represents another phase in the implementation of the plan. The plan is available here.
- How can I find out more information about the changes?
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Click here for maps and more detail on specific routes.
If you travel regularly, you are likely to see staff at terminals or onboard buses, as well as signage and other promotional materials leading up to November 20.
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Why are route numbers changing? What is the significance of the new route numbers?
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One of the Moving Forward principles derived from public consultation was to build a simplified transfer-based system. To make the network easier to understand, we’ve assigned route numbers to each type of service:
• Corridor Routes (Routes 1 - 19)
• Local Routes (Routes 20 – 99)
• Express Routes (Routes 100 - 199)
• Regional Express Routes (Routes 300 - 399)
• Rural Routes (Routes 400 - 499)
Find detailed service type descriptions here - Why are some old route numbers being reused for different routes?
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During the development of the Moving Forward Together Plan, route numbers were chosen to reflect their service area and service levels.
For example, route numbers 1-20 were designated as corridor routes – those routes with a higher span and frequency of service. We try to keep these numbers as consecutive as we can.
Local routes numbers (20-99) are generally divided to reflect the local area they service:
• 20s – 30s – Halifax
• 40s – 70s – Dartmouth
• 80s – Sackville
• 90s – BedfordIn some cases, route numbers are reused to reflect their new service level and/or local service area, even if routing has changed.
- Do express routes cost more than regular fare?
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No, express routes charge standard bus fare. However, Regional Express routes 320, 330, and 370, still cost more than standard bus fare. Click here for more information about fares.
- Why does my route have an A, B or C in its name?
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Routes that have a letter attached indicate that they have branched or directional routing differences, depending on the letter.
Branched routes operate along a main “trunk” providing high frequency service, and then split into “branches” to service different local areas at a lower frequency of service. E.g. The Route 6 A/B/C provides high frequency service as far as Woodside (A), and lower frequency to Eastern Passage (B), or Heritage Hills (C).
Directional routes provide service in a particular direction of travel, and the letter indicates which direction is chosen. E.g. For Route 7 Peninsula, 7A travels clockwise to IWK via Gottingen St., and 7B travels counterclockwise to IWK via Robie St.
- I can no longer take a direct route where I want to go. Why do I need to transfer?
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These service changes see some routes get shorter, and you may need to make a transfer to get to where you’re going. Halifax Transit is creating a simplified transfer-based system. Transfers make transit routes shorter, which means they’re less likely to get delayed by traffic, and more efficient. This also reduces redundancy in the network, freeing up resources that can be used elsewhere and benefit more passengers.
- Why is service on my street discontinued?
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Some principles of the Moving Forward Together Plan are to build a simplified, transfer-based network, and to increase the proportion of resources allocated towards high ridership services.
Some areas are experiencing low ridership and therefore will no longer be serviced.
Some residents may still be within walking distance to bus stops. Please visit the Service Adjustments page to review your options.
- A new bus stop is being installed in front of my property. Why is this happening?
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The location of bus stops is determined and approved in a joint planning process between multiple business units of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) including Halifax Transit and Transportation and Public Works. The process for selecting bus stops is lengthy. Some of the key considerations include stop location and the spacing between stops, passenger safety, public accessibility, minimizing impacts to traffic flow, and directing stops away from residential properties as best as possible while maximizing passenger access and convenience.
Where possible, bus stops are installed on municipal or commercial properties. In situations requiring bus stop installation on residential properties, we look for options to install on side yards. Sometimes, none of these options are possible, and the last resort is to install bus signs on the public right of way in front of resident properties.
- Will trip planning apps (ex. Google Maps, Transit App) have the new network information by November 20?
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Yes, trip planning apps will have updated route information as of November 20. Residents will be able to input future travel dates into their preferred digital trip planning app to plan a trip in the new network.
While Halifax Transit provides transit data for public use, we do not have a trip planning app of our own. Some third-party apps will allow residents to input future travel dates to plan a trip in the new network prior to November 20.
There will be staff available at terminals and major transfer points on November 20 if you have any questions, and all information about the changes will be available on Halifax.ca/transit.
- I’m not affected by these changes, but I’ve heard that there will be other changes in our district. When will these occur?
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The Moving Forward Together Plan is being implemented in phases over several years. Plans for service changes are approved each year by Regional Council through the Annual Service Plan and budget approval. The remaining route changes originally planned for this year remain important to the completion of the network and will be implemented as soon as resources allow. These changes include the following:
• Route 1 and Route 10 service adjustments
• Route 192 – introduction of new express route
• Route 196 – additional trips - Are these changes part of the Rapid Transit Strategy?
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No. These changes were approved in 2016 by Halifax Regional Council as part of the Moving Forward Together Plan (MFTP) – Halifax Transit’s strategic route network redesign.
Now in its sixth year of implementation, the MFTP will guide Halifax Transit service improvements for the next 20 years or more. Changes outlined in the approved MFTP build on the strengths of the existing transit network by increasing frequency of service, extending the service day, enhancing the reliability of service in high transit ridership corridors and improving local routes.
- Was there any consultation to inform these changes?
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Because we know how much transit affects all of our lives, we launched several public consultation activities through the development of the MFTP. Both the feedback and ridership data we received informed the development of the Plan.
An initial round of public consultation was undertaken to guide the overall direction of the Plan, which included stakeholder sessions, public meetings, online engagement activities, and public surveys. The second round of public engagement on the draft Plan was carried out over 10 weeks, from February 17– April 24, 2015. Engagement activities included the maketransitbetter.ca website, Pop-Up engagement events, stakeholder sessions, two public opinion research surveys, and an online survey.
Resources on the website included an introductory video, an interactive map, and the proposed changes to individual routes and communities. This background material provided residents with the information they needed prior to responding to surveys and sharing feedback.
Halifax Transit staff reviewed more than 20,000 comments received through this consultation period, and the revised Moving Forward Together Plan addressed many of the concerns raised by the public. All engagement activities were heavily promoted through mass media campaigns that included print ads, radio, social media, bus advertisements, and direct mail.