Projects Passenger Rail Feasibility Study

Passenger Rail Feasibility Study

Rail service as a method to travel the province has long captured the imagination of Nova Scotians. To fully understand the opportunities and challenges associated with rail service, a passenger rail feasibility study will explore light rail transit (LRT) in Halifax Regional Municipality and passenger rail in the broader region.

The multi-part study will:

  • include a long-term transit phasing strategy to support growth, network resiliency and strategic corridor preservation.
  • evaluate and screen possible regional and urban corridors
  • advance conceptual designs for options in the selected corridors
  • provide an evidence-based evaluation of options
A train passes by a platform at high speed at night. The long exposure of the image stretches and distorts the train.

Benefits

  • Provides more clarity on the long-term viability of passenger rail service.
  • Provides sound analysis to inform decision-making not only for the transportation system, but also for housing, healthcare, and economic development. 

Status

The passenger rail feasibility study is underway. CPCS Transcom, a Canadian management consulting firm with worldwide expertise in rail infrastructure development, is completing the first phase of work.

The first phase of the study will:

  • identify corridors with potential for rail service
  • evaluate and screen potential corridors, ultimately recommending which should be assessed in more detail
  • establish a foundation for additional planning and evaluation in subsequent phases, including plans for screened-out corridors

Phasing the feasibility study ensures that each stage is informed by evidence and analysis, helping to ensure that future work focuses on the most promising opportunities. Findings from phase one will shape the scope and priorities of subsequent phases to support better decision‑making and targeted analysis.

In August 2025, a request for standing qualification (RFSQ) was issued. In November 2025, five pre-qualified bidders were shortlisted and are eligible to bid on future scopes of work that comprise the full rail feasibility study.

Action 3.1.3: Initiate preliminary work for a long-term strategy for Light Rail Transit (LRT) and regional passenger rail.

Passenger rail service has the potential to reshape travel in the Region by providing a very high-capacity form of transit service. Introducing this service is a significant undertaking, should target areas of potential high ridership, and would represent one of the most significant investments in the province’s history. Actions 1.3.1 that introduces inter-municipal transit service and 1.3.2 that introduces Bus Rapid Transit can establish a foundation of ridership and land use for future investments such as regional passenger rail and LRT. A passenger rail feasibility study will have an initial emphasis on connections between Halifax, Bedford, and Windsor and Halifax and Lantz.

Goal 3 | Develop a future-ready transportation system

Strategy 3.1 | Enhance system resiliency and plan for longer-term network connections

Challenges Addressed

Access & Affordability
Sustainability

Related Projects

A map shows urban HRM, with Lower Sackville to the north, Cole Harbour to the East, Bedford and Clayton Park to the West, and Spryfield and the mouth of Halifax Harbour to the south. Solid lines show the four planned bus rapid transit routes, Dartmouth Crossing to Larry Uteck, Saint Mary’s University to Lacewood Terminal in Clayton Park, Portland Hills to Dalhousie University, and downtown Halifax to Spryfield. Dashed lines show future frequent service or possible extensions, travelling across the MacKay Bridge, on Main Street in Dartmouth, along Parkland Drive, Main Avenue, Kearney Lake Road / Larry Uteck Boulevard, Bedford Highway, on Highway 102, to West Bedford, and to Lower Sackville via Magazine Hill. Solid lines show existing ferries at Alderney and Woodside, and the planned high-speed ferry at Mill Cove, all travelling to downtown Halifax. Dashed lines show proposed high-speed ferries at Shannon Park, Larry Uteck, and potenital future ferry service to Eastern Passage and Purcell's Cove.
Rapid Transit
A large bus driving on a highway at sunset.
Inter-municipal Transit
Return to top