Projects Rapid Transit

Rapid Transit

Based on Halifax Transit’s Rapid Transit strategy, the bus rapid transit (BRT) and ferry network are recommended in the Regional Transportation Plan. BRT is a specialized form of frequent bus service that uses dedicated lanes and makes fewer stops to increase the service’s speed and convenience. Expanded ferry service uses the harbour to transport people from key locations to downtown Halifax.

Coupled with a proposed inter-municipal bus service, ongoing commitments to community transportation, and active transportation projects to support first mile / last mile travel, these services form an integrated transit network for the region. BRT also helps to establish a foundation of ridership, land use, and right-of-way preservation for future investments like Light Rail Transit (LRT).

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.

Action 1.3.2: Implement Rapid Transit service and the associated infrastructure it requires (e.g., transit lanes, transit stations and terminals, and maintenance & operations facilities).

Fast, frequent, and reliable rapid transit service (Bus Rapid Transit [BRT] and additional high-speed ferry service) in densely populated areas is needed to support the province’s growth and development, move more people more efficiently, reduce the cost of travel, increase access to jobs / expand the labour market, and support broader goals to reduce GHG emissions. Additional ferry service includes Mill Cove (funded) and Shannon Park, and longer-term potential routes including Larry Uteck, Purcells Cove, and Eastern Passage. Opportunities to increase ferry crossing frequency on existing routes, to provide maximum service efficiency will also be explored.

Goal 1 | Strengthen Regional Connections

Strategy 1.3 | Build an Integrated Transit Network

Challenges Addressed

Efficiency & Reliability
Access & Affordability
Sustainability

Benefits

  • Move more people within urban corridors more efficiently, increase network capacity, and reduce the cost of travel.
  • Improve overall mobility for Nova Scotians, supporting increases in economic productivity in urban regions.
  • Connect major housing growth and provincially approved Special Planning Areas to key locations where people work, go to school, and access every day services.

Status

The Province is assisting HRM in acquiring land along the Robie Street corridor, conducting a passenger rail feasibility study for the Halifax region, and preparing to initiate several corridor reviews. These actions support future implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit network. 

Related Projects

A train passes by a platform at high speed at night. The long exposure of the image stretches and distorts the train.
Rail Feasibility Study
A large bus driving on a highway at sunset.
Inter-municipal Transit

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