Affordable access transit pass program

The Affordable Access Transit Pass Program (AATP) (formerly the Low Income Transit Pass) offers a 50% discount on the regular price of Halifax Transit monthly adult transit passes to residents in financial need. The AATP is open to anyone in Halifax Regional Municipality living with low income, and is part of Halifax's Affordable Access Program (AAP). If you need help with the cost of a monthly transit pass, we encourage you to apply for this discounted program. For more information, please visit the Affordable Access Program page or call 311 for details.

2021/2022 applications are now available. We are currently accepting applications via email or mail only. Applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis. The program is open from July 2021 to June 2022, and current participants who would like to continue in the program must re-apply.

Applicants are asked to call 311 or visit a Customer Service Centre to inquire about the status of their application after 1-2 weeks. Successful participants must purchase their pass monthly in-person at either the Bayers Road Customer Service Centre or Alderney Gate Customer Service Centre. The Acadia and Scotia Square Mall Service Centres are permanently closed.

Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

How many people can participate in the program?

The 2021/22 program is capped at 2,000 residents. Applications will be received and approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do I know if I qualify?

In order to qualify for the 2021/2022 program, you must meet all of the following requirements:
1.    You must live in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
2.    Your combined gross household* income is less than $35,000.
3.    You do not receive a yearly transit pass or transportation subsidy under the Nova Scotia Employment Support and Income Assistance program
4.    You are an adult (over 18 years of age)

*A household is all family members living in the same home related by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. Roommates are not considered part of the household. 

When will applications be available?

For the 2021/2022 program year, the Affordable Access program application form is available Monday, May 24, 2021.

What do I need to apply?

In order to apply, applicants must:
1.    Complete, in full, the Affordable Access program application.
2.    Provide a copy of your 2020 Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income Statement (Option ‘C’) from the Canada Revenue Agency for each adult member of your household. Full-time adult students are not required to submit a Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income. 
3.    If you are self-employed, provide your Canada Revenue Statement of Business or Rental Activities, as well as your personal income tax Notice of Assessment.

Why do I need to provide my household income?

The intent of the program is to improve the accessibility of transit service to residents in financial need; therefore, it’s important to determine the income of all adult residents in a household.

What is household income?

Household income includes:
•    Salary
•    Wages
•    Tips
•    Business income
•    Room and board
•    Insurance benefits
•    Spousal support
•    Investment income
•    Private pensions
•    Government pensions
•    Social assistance
•    Government subsidies
•    Out-of-country earnings
•    Out-of-province earnings

Household income excludes:
•    War Veteran’s Allowance
•    Child Tax Credit
•    GST Rebate
•    Provincial Oil Rebate
•    Pensions under the Pensions Act (Canada), Chapter P-6, sub-section 1-12

How do I submit my application?

Currently, you may only submit your application via email or mail.

Please email your completed application form and attach a 2020 Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income Statement (Option 'C') for each adult member of your household to: AffordableAccess@halifax.ca.

OR

Please address the envelope as follows:

Halifax Regional Municipality
Attention: Revenue Department
Affordable Access Transit Pass Program
PO Box 1749
Halifax, NS Canada B3J 3A5

Is there anyone who can help me with my application?

If you have any questions or require assistance with your application form, please call 311 for support via telephone, or visit a Halifax Public Library branch or recreation centre.  Applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis.

Is there a deadline for applications?

There is no deadline for applications. The program will remain open until the 2,000 available spaces are filled.

How do I know if I have been accepted into the program?

Applicants are asked to call 311 or visit a Customer Service Centre in person to inquire about the status of their application 1-2 weeks after submitting their application.

If I am selected to participate in the program, how do I get my passes?

After confirming that they are successful by calling 311 or visiting a Customer Service Centre, Affordable Access Transit Pass program participants may visit a Customer Service Centre in person to purchase their monthly pass.

Passes are available for purchase on the 20th of each month (for example, September passes are available August 20 for purchase. These are no longer available after September 10). Participants must bring a photo ID to one of the following Customer Service Centres to purchase their pass:

•    Bayers Road Centre
7071 Bayers Road
2nd Floor Towers
Halifax, NS  B3L 4P3
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Telephone: 311
Closed on statutory holidays.

•    Alderney Gate
40 Alderney Drive, 1st Floor
Dartmouth, NS  B2Y2N5
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Telephone: 311
Closed on statutory holidays

Please note: The Acadia and Scotia Square Mall Service Centres are permanently closed.

What happens if I'm in the program, but I don't buy a pass every month?

There is no obligation to purchase a monthly pass every month, however, “inactive” participants (those who have not purchased a pass for six consecutive months) will be removed from the program. This will allow approved applicants on the wait list to enter the program.

Is there a waiting list?

Completed applications continue to be accepted at municipal Customer Service Centres and successful applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Applicants will be notified via mail if or when passes become available.

Other Affordable Access Programs

Heating Assistance Rebate Program

Provided by: Government of Nova Scotia - Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services - Access Nova Scotia

The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps lower income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Rebates are up to $200 for eligible applicants who pay to heat their home with oil, electricity, wood, propane, wood pellets, natural gas, or coal.

The program accepts applications from the third Monday in October until March 31 of the following year.

For more information please visit: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program

The HEAT Fund

Provided by: The Salvation Army - Maritime Division

The Home Emergency Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund provides financial assistance for people in need of emergency help to pay for heating costs during the winter.

Applications are traditionally accepted from mid-January to April 31 each year.

For more information please visit: https://salvationarmy.ca/maritime/home/programs/heat/

Property Tax Rebate for Seniors

Provided by: Government of Nova Scotia - Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services - Access Nova Scotia

The Provincial Property Tax Rebate for Seniors helps seniors with the cost of municipal residential property taxes. Applicants must be receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Rebates are 50% of what you paid on last year’s property taxes, up to a maximum of $800.

Applications are accepted each year from July 1 to December 31.

For more information please visit: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-property-tax-rebate-property-tax-rebate-seniors