Student Transit Pass Program

Students walking with a blue overlay.

The Student Transit Pass Program provides students in grades 7 to 12 with free access to all Halifax Transit services.

Eligible grade 7 to 12 students in the Halifax region include:

  • Students attending junior high and high schools registered at the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP)
  • Students at participating private schools
  • Registered homeschooled students

2026/27 Student Transit Passes are valid from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027.

Image of the top half of an iphone. The text reads HFXGO and is displayed over a photo of the ferry

Getting your pass

For the 2026/27 school year, Student Transit Passes are delivered through the HFXGO mobile fare app.

Create an HFXGO account using your student email address, and Halifax Transit will load the pass to your account. Accounts can be created at any time. It is recommended you create an account before the first day of school to ensure your pass is ready when classes start.

Follow the steps below to get your pass:

  1. Download HFXGO from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
  2. Open the app and select Sign up.
  3. Enter your student email address and create a password. No payment method is required.
  4. Check your student email for a verification message from HFXGO and confirm your account. Your pass cannot be loaded until your account is verified.

Passes are not issued automatically when an account is created. Halifax Transit loads the pass to verified accounts and sends a confirmation email when it is ready. Please allow up to a week. When that email arrives, open HFXGO, go to the app wallet, and tap "refresh wallet" to load your pass onto your device.

The emails from HFXGO may mention registering a "primary token" or a Smart Card. You can ignore that. All you need to do is create an HFXGO account using your student email address, and Halifax Transit will issue your pass.

Parents and guardians of homeschooled students can complete and return the registration form distributed by Homeschooling Adventures Organization.

To learn more about the HFXGO app, click here.

HFXGo ticket validation machine with a green screen displaying a checkmark and the word VALID, a white ticket scanner, and a contactless payment symbol below.

A validator on buses and at ferry terminals.

Using your pass

On the bus

Scan your pass on the validator when you board.

On the ferry

Scan your pass on the validator before entering the waiting area.

About the program

First launched as a pilot in 2021, the Student Transit Pass Program provides free access to public transit for students in grades 7 to 12, supporting youth mobility, independence, accessibility, and the development of sustainable travel habits across the region.

For the 2026/27 school year, the Halifax Regional Centre for Education is funding transit passes for students attending five Halifax schools where public transit is more practical than school buses. The Nova Scotia Department of Opportunities and Social Development is funding transit passes for Halifax youth ages 13 through 18 connected to Employment Support and Income Assistance – more than 1,700 students. The Halifax Regional Municipality is funding transit passes for all remaining grades 7 through 12 students, including homeschooled students and those attending private schools.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Student Transit Pass Program?

The Student Transit Pass Program provides students in Grades 7 to 12 at all registered Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) high schools and junior high schools, participating private schools, and registered homeschooled students residing in Halifax Regional Municipality with a free annual transit pass for the 2026-27 school year. 

Which schools are participating in the Student Transit Pass Program?

All schools in the Halifax Regional Municipality with students in grades 7 to 12, and participating private schools. If you are unsure whether your school is participating, email StudentTransitPass@halifax.ca. 

How is the pass delivered this year?

For 2026-27, student transit passes are delivered through the HFXGO mobile fare app rather than as physical cards. Students create an HFXGO account using their student email address, and Halifax Transit loads the pass to the account once it is verified. 

Physical pass cards of the same type used in previous years are available for students who do not have a smartphone, are unable to use the app, or prefer a physical card. See below for how to request one. 

How does a student register for HFXGO?

Students can create an HFXGO account at any time. Download the HFXGO app, select Sign up, and create an account using the student email address. No payment method is required. 

Step-by-step instructions are sent to student email addresses in late August, and posters with the same instructions are shared with participating schools. Students who have not yet signed up also receive a reminder email. Students do not need to wait for either one to create their account. Once the pass is issued, students receive a confirmation email from HFXGO. 

Passes are not issued automatically when an account is created. Halifax Transit loads the pass to verified accounts, normally within a week, and sends a confirmation email from noreply@justride.com. Students should check their junk folder if they don't see it. To load the pass, open HFXGO, go to your wallet, and tap "refresh wallet." 

The HFXGO email mentions a "primary token" or a Smart Card. What is that?

Students can ignore that part. It refers to other HFXGO features that are not part of the Student Transit Pass Program. All a student needs to do is create an HFXGO account using their student email address, and Halifax Transit will issue the pass.

When will my pass be active?

The 2026-27 Student Transit Pass is valid from September 1, 2026 until August 31, 2027. Students are encouraged to create their HFXGO account before the school year begins so their pass is ready for the first day. Students who sign up during the year will still receive their pass, normally within a week of creating their account. 

Passes issued in 2025/26 expired on September 11, 2026.

A student enrolled partway through the school year. How do they get a pass?

The student creates an HFXGO account using their student email address, and Halifax Transit loads the pass to that account. Students who already have an HFXGO account do not need to create a new one.

Does the app need mobile data to work?

No. Students need an internet connection the first time they create their account and activate their pass. After that, the pass works without a data connection.

How does a student use the pass?

Students using HFXGO scan their pass on the validator when boarding a Halifax Transit bus or scan their pass on the validator before entering the waiting area at ferry terminals. Students using a physical pass card show the card to the bus operator or ferry security staff, the same as in previous years.

Can a student share their pass?

No. Student Transit Passes are non-transferable. Each HFXGO pass is linked to an individual student's email account, and each physical card carries a unique card number tied to the student it was issued to. Sharing access to a pass, whether by lending HFXGO login credentials or handing off a physical card, is considered misuse of the program. 

Confirmed misuse results in permanent deactivation of the student's account, or confiscation of their physical card, for the remainder of the school year, with no replacement pass issued.

What if a student cannot or does not want to use HFXGO?

Physical pass cards are available for students who do not have a smartphone, are unable to use the app, or prefer a physical card. To request a card, students can visit their school administration office at any point during the year. Students must provide their student email address in order to receive a physical card. 

Students who receive a physical card will not have access to the program through HFXGO. Each student may only use one format.

What if a student loses their physical pass card?

Students using a physical pass card who lose or damage it should visit their school administration office to request a replacement. Students must provide their student email address when requesting a replacement card. The school will issue a replacement from its reserve supply.

What if a student switches phones or gets a new phone?

Students using HFXGO can log in on a new device using the same student email address and password. A limited number of device switches are available. Students should use device switches sparingly. If additional switches are needed, students or parents can contact 311.

Do Student Transit passes provide access to Access-A-Bus?

Yes, student transit passes provide students with free access to Access-A-Bus services. Students who wish to become Access-A-Bus clients must apply to Access-A-Bus before becoming a passenger on this service. To register, complete the Access-A-Bus application form found here. Only those students who meet the qualifications to become Access-A-Bus clients will gain access to this service. 

For more information about Halifax Transit’s Access-A-Bus service, please visit our website, contact Access-A-Bus at 902-490-6999, or email contactus@311.halifax.ca.

Is Regional Express service included in the Student Transit Pass Program?

Yes. Students travelling on Regional Express buses (Routes 320, 330and 370) are not required to pay an additional fare with the Student Transit Pass.

Why are private schools now included?

For 2026/27, the Student Transit Pass Program has been expanded to include students at participating private schools in Halifax Regional Municipality. Private school students are eligible for the same free annual transit pass as HRCE, CSAP, and  homeschooled students.

My child is homeschooled; how can they receive their pass?

Homeschooled students in grades 7 to 12 who live in Halifax Regional Municipality are eligible for the Student Transit Pass Program. Halifax Transit works with Homeschooling Adventures to coordinate registration and distribution for homeschool families. To receive a pass, parents or guardians must: 

  • Complete the digital registration form provided by Homeschooling Adventures. 
  • If you are not associated with Homeschooling Adventures and are the parent or guardian of a registered homeschooled student in the Halifax Regional Municipality, please contact StudentTransitPass@halifax.ca to access the digital registration form.

Once registration is complete, Halifax Transit will distribute the annual student pass directly to families via their chosen method.

If a pass is lost during the year, a first replacement can be requested by contacting StudentTransitPass@halifax.ca. Additional replacements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

I do not wish for my child to receive a pass. What do I do?

If you do not wish for your child to use the HFXGO app for their Student Transit Pass, you can have them visit their school administration office to opt out and request a physical pass card instead.

Are resources available to help teach students how to ride transit?

As part of our ongoing commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive transit system for all, Halifax Transit has resources online titled How to Ride: A Guide to Using Halifax Transit. This collection of easy-to-follow guides and videos in multiple languages provide information about how to: 

  • access bus route maps and schedules; 
  • plan a trip on buses and ferries; 
  • pay fares and transfer; and,  
  • ride safely. 

Find these resources and learn more here. Riders can also visit our Transit Code pages on the Halifax Transit website, where you will find Passenger Courtesy, Prohibited Conduct, Policies & Guidelines, and Safety Information. All riders, including students, may also call 311 or email contactus@311.halifax.ca for more information about Halifax Transit services. 

Halifax Transit will also be visiting many participating schools during the 2026/27 school year to provide training and information sessions to help students learn how to use transit safely and confidently. These sessions support trip planning and transit literacy for students participating in the Student Transit Pass Program. The training covers everything from reading a schedule to understanding expected rider behaviour based on the Transit Code. We work closely with schools and community partners to ensure the content of these sessions is youth-friendly, accessible, and tailored to students’ needs.

Where can I get more information?

Contact 311, or email StudentTransitPass@halifax.ca.

Additional Educational and Safety Information – How to Ride Halifax Transit

As part of our ongoing commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive transit system for all, Halifax Transit has resources online titled How to Ride: A Guide to Using Halifax Transit. This collection of easy-to-follow guides and videos in multiple languages provide information about how to:

  • access bus route maps and schedules;
  • plan a trip on buses and ferries;
  • pay fares and transfer; and,
  • ride safely.

Find these resources and learn more here. Riders can also visit our Passenger Information pages on the Halifax Transit website, where you will find Passenger Courtesy, Prohibited Conduct, Policies & Guidelines, and Safety Information. All riders, including students, may also call 311 or email contactus@311.halifax.ca for more information about Halifax Transit services.

Halifax Transit will also be visiting many participating schools during the 2026/27 school year to provide training and information sessions to help students learn how to use transit safely and confidently. These sessions support trip planning and transit literacy for students participating in the Student Transit Pass Program. The training covers everything from reading a schedule to understanding expected rider behaviour based on the Transit Code. We work closely with schools and community partners to ensure the content of these sessions is youth-friendly, accessible, and tailored to students’ needs.