Low income transit pass program

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The Low Income Transit Program is part of Halifax's Affordable Access Program (AAP). The 2020/2021 application will be available shortly and will be accepted starting Monday, May 25, 2020. For more information, please visit the Affordable Access page or call 311 for details.

Approved applicants will be able to purchase monthly adult transit passes for 50% off the regular price.

Currently, applications can be sent via email or mail only.

Please note: 2019/2020 program participants who would like to continue to participate in the program beyond June 2020 must re-apply for the 2020/2021 program.

Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

How many people can participate in the program?

The 2020/21 program is capped at 2000 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 2020/2021 program, you must meet all of the following requirements:

- you must live in the Halifax Regional Municipality
- your combined gross household* income is less than $35,000
- you do not receive a yearly transit pass or transportation subsidy under the Nova Scotia Employment Support and Income Assistance program

*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. Adults are considered persons 18 years and over.

What do I need to apply?

In order to apply, applicants must:

- complete, in full, the Affordable Access program application
- provide a copy of 2019’s Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income Statement (Option ‘C’) from the Canada Revenue Agency (Revenue Canada requires 10 business days to process a Notice of Assessment request; alternatively, you may obtain a copy of your own notice of assessment online).
- provide your Canada Revenue Statement of Business or Rental Activities, as well as your personal income tax Notice of Assessment if you are self-employed

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

Why do I need to provide my household income?

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

When will the applications be available?

For the 2020/2021 program year, the Affordable Access application forms will become available shortly and will be accepted beginning Monday, May 25, 2020. Carefully review the application to ensure you have all the documentation required.

How do I submit my application?

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

Please label envelope as follows:

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

Email your completed application form (accepted May 25, 2020) and attach your 2019 Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income Statement (Option 'C') to: AffordableAccess@halifax.ca.

Is there anyone who can help me with my application?

If you need help with your application form, please call 311 for assistance via telephone. Customer Contact Centres are currently not open to the public due to COVID-19.

What are the deadlines for applications?

There is no deadline for the applications. The program will remain open until filled.

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

Successful applicants will be notified of their status via mail. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

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

Successful applicants will receive a letter from the municipality informing them that they are to be part of the Low Income Transit Pass Program.

For each month of the program, participants need only bring a photo ID to one of the five Customer Service Centres. **Please note that this requirement is no longer possible due to current COVID-19 restrictions. Participants will be notified once this restriction is lifted. **

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, in August 2017, Regional Council approved an amendment to the Low Income Transit Pass Program which allows Halifax Transit to remove inactive participants (i.e. those who have not purchased a pass for six consecutive months) to allow approved applicants on the wait list to enter the program. This motion was based on the pilot program findings that 14% of participants did not purchase any passes through the duration of the six month pilot. If a participant purchases one pass every 3 - 4 months, they remain enrolled in the program. The amendment only applies to those who do not purchase a pass for 6 consecutive months.

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 or email if or when passes become available.