Local News
City Council Approves Plan to Expand Halifax Transit Network
In a unanimous vote, council members approved a multimillion-dollar plan to extend bus routes and improve commuter access across Halifax and surrounding areas.
Published: May 20, 2025 at 06:51
By: By Aaron Hernandez, Great White Press
In a pivotal move aimed at improving public transportation and reducing carbon emissions, Halifax City Council has approved a comprehensive expansion of the city's transit network. The decision, reached in a unanimous vote, greenlights a multimillion-dollar plan that will see the introduction of new bus routes, increased service frequency, and improved infrastructure across the municipality.
The expansion includes extending service into underserved neighborhoods and enhancing access to transit hubs for commuters in outlying areas. Councillor Jenna MacLeod, who represents one of the affected districts, hailed the vote as a step toward equitable mobility. “This plan helps bridge the transit gap between urban centers and residential communities,” she stated.
City staff presented detailed data showing significant demand in several corridors that currently receive minimal coverage. The new routes will be rolled out in phases over the next three years, starting with priority zones identified through community consultations and ridership analytics.
Halifax Transit will also invest in environmentally friendly vehicles as part of the initiative. Fifteen new electric buses are slated for deployment in the first wave, aligning with the city’s climate action strategy. These vehicles promise quieter, cleaner rides and reduced operational costs over time.
Transit operators and union representatives have voiced support for the changes, emphasizing the need for more hiring and training programs. “This is an opportunity not just to modernize transit, but to provide stable employment across our workforce,” said Transit Union President Mark Chen.
Public feedback played a major role in shaping the final blueprint. Hundreds of residents submitted comments during town halls and online forums. Many advocated for expanded weekend service, improved wait times, and better shelter infrastructure at stops—requests that were largely incorporated into the approved plan.
To finance the expansion, the city will leverage a combination of federal infrastructure grants, provincial support, and a marginal increase in municipal transit levies. Officials stressed that overall tax impact to residents would be minimal due to offsetting cost efficiencies and long-term savings.
Accessibility upgrades are also central to the plan. All new buses will feature low floors, automatic ramps, and audio-visual stop announcements. Additionally, the city plans to retrofit 40 existing shelters with improved lighting and real-time arrival signage within the next year.
Critics have cautioned that implementation delays or cost overruns could dampen the initiative’s effectiveness. However, Council committed to quarterly public updates and an independent oversight committee to monitor timelines and expenditures.
Environmental advocates praised the move, calling it a necessary shift in urban planning. “Reducing car dependency is one of the most impactful ways cities can lower their carbon footprint,” said Claire Donovan, a spokesperson for Clean Nova Scotia.
For residents like Tamika Harper, who commutes daily from Spryfield, the expansion brings hope. “Right now I spend almost 90 minutes each way getting to work. If this cuts that even by half, it’ll change my life,” she said.
The city also unveiled a new transit app to coincide with the announcement. The platform, set to launch this fall, will offer route planning, live bus tracking, and mobile ticketing features to streamline the commuter experience.
Construction and service changes are expected to begin this summer. Halifax Transit encourages riders to follow their website and social channels for route updates and engagement opportunities as the rollout begins.