*Please note: Beginning this program year (July 2019-July 2020), the Low Income Transit Program is part of Halifax's new Affordable Access Program. Applications will become available Tuesday, May 14, 2019 and will be accepted starting Tuesday, May 21, 2019. For more information about how to apply, please visit the Affordable Access page or call 311 for details.
The 2019-2020 Low Income Transit Program will start accepting applications in May 2019 and will provide passes to 2,000 qualified applicants. Halifax Transit wants to make monthly transit passes more affordable for residents; participants in the program will be able to purchase monthly adult transit passes for 50% off the regular price.
Applications will be available online beginning Tuesday, May 14, 2019 and will be accepted starting Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The application can be sent via email, mail, or submitted in person.
Please note: 2018-2019 program participants who would like to continue to participate in the program beyond June 2019 must re-apply for the 2019-2020 program.
| Transit Passes | Regular Rate |
50% discount available through the Low Income Transit Pass Program |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Adult Pass | $78.00 | $39.00 |
| MetroLink Pass | $94.50 | $47.25 |
| MetroX Pass | $111.00 | $55.50 |
Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs
How many people can participate in the program?
The 2019/20 program is capped at 2000 people. 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 2019/20 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 $34,000
- you do not receive a 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 (available online May 14, 2019)
- provide a copy of 2018’s Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income Statement (Option 'C') from the Canada Revenue Agency. This includes members of the household not applying for the program. Full-time adult students are not required to submit a Notice of Assessment or Proof of Income. 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
- A letter from the NS Department of Community Services or Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
- 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 2019/20 program year, the Affordable Access application forms will become available Tuesday, May 14, 2019 and will be accepted beginning Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at municipal Customer Service Centres. Carefully review the application to ensure you have all the documentation required.
How do I submit my application?
You may submit your application in person at a Customer Service Centre.
Customer Service Centres also have secure drop boxes so you may drop off your completed application in a sealed envelope at any of the locations noted above outside of business hours.
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 21, 2019) and attach your 2018 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, visit a Customer Service Centre, your local library or community recreation centre.
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.
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.