.gif){kind=spacer}
Metro Transit (Halifax)
Encyclopedia
Metro Transit is a Canadian public transport agency operating bus
es and ferries
in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
Owned by the HRM, Metro Transit's operations area is the urban core in the western part of the municipality, namely the Halifax
and Dartmouth
Metropolitan Areas, along with adjacent outlying neighbourhoods and communities. Metro Transit is the largest transit agency in Atlantic Canada
, carrying 18.5 million passengers in fiscal year 2007/2008.
, and Dartmouth Transit Service Buses Ltd. (April 1957-February 1978) and Dartmouth Transit (February 1978-February 1979) in Dartmouth
. In March 1981, both Halifax and Dartmouth transit agencies merged their services to become Metro Transit, taking its name from the Metropolitan Commission. Metro Transit Centre, the agency's headquarters and bus maintenance facility, is located on Ilsley Avenue in Burnside Park
, with a satellite garage known as the Rapid Transit Garage also in Burnside Park on Thornhill Drive.
Currently there are 278 buses in the fleet, 177 of them low-floor vehicles, operating on 56 routes, including three Community Transit routes, three express routes operating as "MetroLink" which began service in August 2005, and a rural express route operating as "MetroX" which started in August 2009.
region of Halifax Regional Municipality
(Halifax
, Dartmouth
, Bedford
and Sackville
), including the areas of Eastern Passage
, North Preston
/Cherry Brook
, Tantallon and Herring Cove
. Routes are numbered according to the region or type of service provided:
-based routes. Routes in the 30's are rush-hour only routes serving Halifax. Routes in the 40's are university routes serving the Dalhousie University
Studley campus which, until summer 2010 operated only during the academic calendar (September to April). Routes in the 50's, the 60's and 70's are Dartmouth-based routes. Routes in the 80's are Sackville
and Bedford
routes. Routes in the 100's are the MetroLink routes, and routes in the 300's are the MetroExpress routes.
In addition, a University student bus pass (U-pass) is available for Saint Mary's
, Mount Saint Vincent
, King's College
, Dalhousie
, Nova Scotia Community College
(Halifax Campuses only) and Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
students, and the cost is included in tuition fees. The Metro Transit fare structure can be found on the Metro Transit website.
Transfers are issued upon request on all Metro Transit buses and ferries. A transfer allows the user to transfer between multiple conventional route buses and ferries traveling in any direction without having to pay an additional fare. A transfer also allows users to transfer to MetroLink
and Community Transit buses at a reduced fare. Transfers are valid for 90 minutes after they have been issued. Holders of a valid MetroPass or MetroLink Pass do not require transfers.
Wheelchair – Uses Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses only.
Rush Hour Service Only.
Designated Bike Route.
MetroLink Service (see MetroLink section below)
MetroX Service (see MetroX section below)
University routes that, until the summer of 2010 only operated during the university academic calendar year (September – April).
University routes that only operated during the university academic calendar year (September – April).
MetroLink is Metro Transit's BRT (Bus Rapid Transit
) express bus service that operates Monday to Friday. The system consists of three limited-stop fully accessible express routes, connecting downtown Halifax
's Scotia Square
bus terminal, with the Portland Hills terminal in Cole Harbour
on the Dartmouth
side, and the Sackville Terminal in Lower Sackville
. The third route links the Portland Hills Terminal to the Woodside ferry terminal in Dartmouth during morning and afternoon peak service times.
MetroExpress, or MetroX for short is Metro Transit's rural express bus service. There is one MetroX route, running between Tantallon to Halifax. There are two other planned routes that will service the rural commutershed of HRM. All routes are to terminate at Scotia Square
in downtown Halifax.
Metro Transit runs a Community Transit service, allowing residents in some suburban and rural communities access to the regular and express bus system operated by Metro Transit.
There are three Community Transit routes:
Cash fare on all three routes is $2.25 (Adult/Student) $1.50 (Children/Senior 5–15). Tickets and transfers from other routes are accepted, Monthly bus passes and U-Passes are accepted. Transfers are issued on request on these routes that allow passengers to continue their travels on other Metro Transit routes.
GoTime is the name of Metro Transit's automated vehicle locater (AVL) system. The generation system (unveiled over the winter of 2007/2008) uses Global Positioning System
(GPS) technology to track buses throughout the system, providing information on location and schedule adherence to the transit control centre. This information is also used to update Metro Transit's real time bus departure system available to the general public.
http://halifax.ca/metrotransit/gotime ) to the service. This component, which can be found at http://halifax.ca/gotime was never correctly or officially released to the public.
between 1984 and 1987, one the earliest real-time passenger information and transit management systems in North America. The previous generation system used wheel rotation sensors to calculate the distance traveled from the start of the route, which was then transmitted back to the transit control centre. This data allowed the system to calculate the buses position along its route, as well as exact departure times for each bus stop ahead of it. In addition to wheel sensors, door sensors were used to determine when the bus was at a stop, and a series of electronic transmitters mounted to power poles along each route allowed the system to further calculate the buses position along its route. As with the current-generation system, the previous system also had a call-in system where a user could call the 4-digit GoTime number on each bus stop and hear an automated message telling them when the next two buses on each route servicing that stop would depart, monitors at all terminals displaying real-time departure information, and on board computers displaying information to drivers on how far ahead or behind schedule they are.
The hardware to support the previous-generation GoTime system had been steadily deteriorating over time, as the last major overhaul to the system was completed in 1996. There is reference to funds being allocated in 1998 for a GoTime upgrade, however, it is believed that the companies that were contracted to perform the upgrade, failed to do so when they each went bankrupt. Due to the instability of the system, it is believed that sometime between 2004 and 2005, the "real-time" functionality of the GoTime system was disabled, as phoning the system seemed only to tell the scheduled departure times, not actual departure times; the phone-in component used the words "scheduled to depart in" when real-time data was unavailable, and "will depart in" when the data was available.
with Alderney Landing
in Dartmouth (which operates daily using two vessels) and the other connecting downtown Halifax with Woodside
(Monday through Friday only using one vessel). The ferry services are integrated with the bus services; the fares are identical, and transfers are accepted between the two systems. The harbour ferries are utilised by over 3,000 commuters daily Each ferry carries up to 398 passengers. The characters of Phillip and Phillmore, the ferry twins from the children's TV show, Theodore Tugboat
are modelled after these vessels.
, Bedford
, Eastern Passage
and Shannon Park
. These routes would be served by wave piercing catamarans capable of speeds of approximately 40 knots. Details have not been finalized, however it is likely that the downtown Halifax terminal would act as a hub, with all routes radiating outward. Studies and trials have been undertaken for a Bedford-Halifax route, which will likely be the first high speed service.
All three ferries are double-ended side-loading, and use two 230 hp Caterpillar model 3306 engines, each driving a model 12E/75 Voith-Schneider
propeller.
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es and ferries
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
Owned by the HRM, Metro Transit's operations area is the urban core in the western part of the municipality, namely the Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
and Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
Metropolitan Areas, along with adjacent outlying neighbourhoods and communities. Metro Transit is the largest transit agency in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
, carrying 18.5 million passengers in fiscal year 2007/2008.
History
The agency's roots trace back to its four predecessors: Nova Scotia Light & Power Company (March 1928-December 1969) and Halifax Transit Corporation (January 1970-February 1979) in HalifaxCity of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, and Dartmouth Transit Service Buses Ltd. (April 1957-February 1978) and Dartmouth Transit (February 1978-February 1979) in Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
. In March 1981, both Halifax and Dartmouth transit agencies merged their services to become Metro Transit, taking its name from the Metropolitan Commission. Metro Transit Centre, the agency's headquarters and bus maintenance facility, is located on Ilsley Avenue in Burnside Park
Burnside, Nova Scotia
Burnside is a Canadian urban neighbourhood located along the northeast shore of Bedford Basin in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.Officially still termed a dispersed rural community, Burnside has been the location of a major concentration of industry and commercial development since the...
, with a satellite garage known as the Rapid Transit Garage also in Burnside Park on Thornhill Drive.
Bus service
Regular service
Metro Transit operates 52 conventional transit routes within the metropolitanMetropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
region of Halifax Regional Municipality
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Regional Municipality had a 2006 census population of 372,679, while the metropolitan area had a 2010 estimated population of 403,188, and the urban area of Halifax had a population of 282,924...
(Halifax
Halifax, Nova Scotia (former city)
Halifax, Nova Scotia may refer to any of the following:-Municipalities:* Halifax Regional Municipality , a regional municipality and capital of Nova Scotia...
, Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
, Bedford
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
and Sackville
Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Lower Sackville is a suburban community located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is part of the urban area of Halifax ....
), including the areas of Eastern Passage
Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia
Eastern Passage is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.Located at the southeastern edge of Halifax Harbour, fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Passage derives its name from the narrow strait separating the mainland from McNabs Island and Lawlor Island, both...
, North Preston
North Preston, Nova Scotia
North Preston is a rural community in eastern Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, in Canada. North Preston has a population of about 3,700 people. The community is populated mainly by African Canadians. The community borders its sister community East Preston. The community traces its...
/Cherry Brook
Cherrybrook, Nova Scotia
Cherrybrook is predominantly a Black community located to the north of Trunk 7 between Lake Loon and Lake Major, and just a few miles east of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia....
, Tantallon and Herring Cove
Herring Cove, Nova Scotia
Herring Cove is a Canadian suburban and fishing community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Chebucto Peninsula, 15 kilometres south of Downtown Halifax...
. Routes are numbered according to the region or type of service provided:
Route number structure
Routes in the 00's, the 10's and the 20's are primarily HalifaxHalifax, Nova Scotia (former city)
Halifax, Nova Scotia may refer to any of the following:-Municipalities:* Halifax Regional Municipality , a regional municipality and capital of Nova Scotia...
-based routes. Routes in the 30's are rush-hour only routes serving Halifax. Routes in the 40's are university routes serving the Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
Studley campus which, until summer 2010 operated only during the academic calendar (September to April). Routes in the 50's, the 60's and 70's are Dartmouth-based routes. Routes in the 80's are Sackville
Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Lower Sackville is a suburban community located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is part of the urban area of Halifax ....
and Bedford
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
routes. Routes in the 100's are the MetroLink routes, and routes in the 300's are the MetroExpress routes.
Fare structure
| Category | Cash Fare | MetroPass | 10 tickets |
| Adult | $2.25 | $70.00 | $18.00 |
| Senior/Child | $1.50 | $52.00 | $13.00 |
| Student | $2.25 | $64.00 | $18.00 |
In addition, a University student bus pass (U-pass) is available for Saint Mary's
Saint Mary's University (Halifax)
Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. The school is best known for having nationally lead programs in Business, Astronomy and International Development Studies as well, one of the best football and Men's hockey programs in Canada .The campus is situated in Halifax's...
, Mount Saint Vincent
Mount Saint Vincent University
Mount Saint Vincent University is a university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was established in 1873 and is locally referred to as The Mount.-History:...
, King's College
University of King's College
The University of King's College is a post-secondary institution in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. King's is a small liberal arts university offering mainly undergraduate programs....
, Dalhousie
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
, Nova Scotia Community College
Nova Scotia Community College
The Nova Scotia Community College, commonly referred to as the NSCC, is a community college serving the province of Nova Scotia.The college delivers a diverse program of trades, technology, health, human services, applied arts, new media, business administration and adult education through a system...
(Halifax Campuses only) and Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University
NSCAD University also known as the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, is a post-secondary art school located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada....
students, and the cost is included in tuition fees. The Metro Transit fare structure can be found on the Metro Transit website.
Transfers are issued upon request on all Metro Transit buses and ferries. A transfer allows the user to transfer between multiple conventional route buses and ferries traveling in any direction without having to pay an additional fare. A transfer also allows users to transfer to MetroLink
MetroLink (Halifax)
MetroLink is Halifax Regional Municipality's BRT express bus service, operated by Metro Transit.The system consists of three limited-stop fully accessible express routes, connecting downtown Halifax's Scotia Square bus terminal, with the Portland Hills terminal in Cole Harbour on the Dartmouth...
and Community Transit buses at a reduced fare. Transfers are valid for 90 minutes after they have been issued. Holders of a valid MetroPass or MetroLink Pass do not require transfers.
Active
| No. | Name | Features | Inner Terminal | Notes/History | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spring Garden Spring Garden, Halifax Spring Garden, along with Barrington Street and Quinpool Road, is a major commercial and cultural district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It comprises Spring Garden Road, South Park Street, and a number of smaller side streets... |
Bridge Terminal | Mumford Terminal | ||
| 2 | Wedgewood | Water Street Terminal | Kearney Lake & Wedgewood | Used to provide service to Exhibition Park. | |
| 3 | Mumford | Mumford Terminal | Inglis & South Park | Weekday service only. This route used to service Gottingen. | |
| 4 | Rosedale | Water Street Terminal | Ross & Dunbrack | ||
| 5 | Chebucto | |
Water Street Terminal | Downs & Milsom | Weekday service only. |
| 6 | Quinpool | Water Street Terminal | Stonehaven & Glenmore | ||
| 7 | Robie Robie Street Robie Street is a north-south artery, street and provincial road that runs for 7 kilometres within the Halifax Peninsula area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, from Memorial Drive in the North End Halifax, to Gorsebrook Avenue in the South End. The street in most places is 4 lanes wide with a... |
Merv Sullivan Park | Northridge Loop | ||
| 8 | Waterfront | Pier 21 Pier 21 Pier 21, a former ocean liner terminal, is Canada's National Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia.It operated as an ocean liner terminal and immigration shed from 1928 to 1971 and became an immigration museum in 1999. Pier 21 is Canada's last remaining ocean immigration shed... |
Barrington & Duke | Used to be the route that serviced Windsor St. | |
| 9 | Barrington | Point Pleasant Park | Mumford Terminal | ||
| 10 | Dalhousie Dalhousie University Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at... |
Dalhousie University Terminal | Invenary & Strath | ||
| 11 | Dockyard | |
Bridge Terminal | Halifax Dockyard | |
| 14 | Leiblin Park | Barrington & Duke | Leiblin & Juniper | ||
| 15 | Purcell's Cove Purcell's Cove, Nova Scotia Purcell's Cove is a community within the Halifax Regional Municipality Nova Scotia Canada on the west side of Halifax Harbour from the Northwest Arm to Ferguson's Cove along Route 253 . The first 3 digits of the postal code in the area is B3P.-References:... |
Bayers Road Terminal | York Loop | ||
| 16 | Parkland | Bridge Terminal | Lacewood Terminal | No Sunday service. | |
| 17 | Saint Mary's Saint Mary's University (Halifax) Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. The school is best known for having nationally lead programs in Business, Astronomy and International Development Studies as well, one of the best football and Men's hockey programs in Canada .The campus is situated in Halifax's... |
Saint Mary's University | Lacewood Terminal | Weekday service only. No evening service. | |
| 18 | Universities | Saint Mary's University | Lacewood Terminal | ||
| 19 | Greystone | Mumford Terminal | Greystone Loop | Weekday service only. | |
| 20 | Herring Cove Herring Cove, Nova Scotia Herring Cove is a Canadian suburban and fishing community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Chebucto Peninsula, 15 kilometres south of Downtown Halifax... |
St Paul's & School | Barrington & Duke | ||
| 21 | Lakeside Lakeside, Nova Scotia Lakeside, Nova Scotia is a community of the Halifax Regional Municipality in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.... / Timberlea Timberlea, Nova Scotia Timberlea is a community located on the rural/suburban fringe of the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada, along the St. Margaret's Bay Rd , which extends from the Armdale Rotary to the Head of St. Margaret's Bay. It begins about 8 miles/13 km from downtown Halifax... |
Charles & Richard | Summer & Trollope | ||
| 22 | Armdale | Mumford Terminal | Exhibition Park | ||
| 23 | Timberlea / Mumford | |
Upper Water & Cornwallis | Glengarry Gardens | Weekday service only. |
| 31 | Main Express | |
Summer & Trollope | Lacewood Terminal | Weekday service only. |
| 32 | Cowie Hill Express | |
Barrington & Duke | South Centre Mall | Weekday service only. |
| 33 | Tantallon Express Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia Upper Tantallon is a community that extends from the Hammonds Plains Road to the crossroads of Trunk 3 and Route 333 within the Halifax Regional Municipality, 22.3 km west from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.-2008 fire:... |
|
Summer & Trollope | Hubley Centre Mall | Weekday service only. |
| 34 | Glenbourne Express | |
Summer & Trollope | Kearney Lake & Parkland | Weekday service only. Used to be the Rockingham Express. |
| 35 | Parkland Express | |
VIA Rail Station | Lacewood Terminal | Weekday service only. Used to service Rosedale. |
| 41 | Dartmouth Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial... – Dalhousie |
|
Dalhousie University Terminal | Bridge Terminal | Weekday service only. |
| 42 | Lacewood – Dalhousie | |
Dalhousie University Terminal | Lacewood Terminal | Weekday service only. |
| 51 | Windmill | Bridge Terminal | Princess Margaret & Killkee | Weekday rush service extends from Bridge Terminal to Princess Margaret & Killkee to Joseph Zatzman Dr. | |
| 52 | Crosstown | Colfold & Akerley | Chain Lake & Lakelands | ||
| 53 | Notting Park | Highfield Terminal | Bridge Terminal | Weekday rush service extends from Bridge Terminal to Summer & Trollope. | |
| 54 | Montebello | Dartmouth Ferry Terminal | Caledonia & Du Portage | ||
| 55 | Port Wallace Port Wallace, Nova Scotia Port Wallace is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.It is located on the northeastern edge of the former city of Dartmouth and lies mid-way between Lake Micmac and Lake Charles.... |
Dartmouth Sportsplex | Portobello Loop | ||
| 56 | Dartmouth Crossing Dartmouth Crossing Dartmouth Crossing is a commercial real estate development currently under construction in Dartmouth, a part of Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada.-Background:... |
Portland Hills Terminal | Wright & Countryview | Used to service Westphal | |
| 57 | Russell Lake | Woodside Ferry Terminal | Portland Hills Terminal | Used to service Mic Mac | |
| 58 | Woodlawn Woodlawn, Nova Scotia Woodlawn is an area of eastern Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia that is mainly residential and retail. It is situated within an area with Highway 111 on the west, Portland Street on the east and Main Street on the North side... |
Bridge Terminal | Dorthea & Lucien | Weekday rush service extends from Bridge Terminal to Mumford Terminal. | |
| 59 | Colby | Bridge Terminal | Ashgrove & Cole Harbour | Weekday rush service extends from Bridge Terminal to Summer & Trollope. | |
| 60 | Eastern Passage Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia Eastern Passage is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.Located at the southeastern edge of Halifax Harbour, fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Passage derives its name from the narrow strait separating the mainland from McNabs Island and Lawlor Island, both... / Heritage Hills |
Bridge Terminal | Caldwell & Shore | ||
| 61 | Auburn / North Preston North Preston, Nova Scotia North Preston is a rural community in eastern Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, in Canada. North Preston has a population of about 3,700 people. The community is populated mainly by African Canadians. The community borders its sister community East Preston. The community traces its... |
Barrington & Duke | North Preston Recreation Centre | Used to service Bisett. | |
| 62 | Wildwood | Bridge Terminal | Cole Harbour Place | Used to be the 62 Cherrybrook Cherrybrook, Nova Scotia Cherrybrook is predominantly a Black community located to the north of Trunk 7 between Lake Loon and Lake Major, and just a few miles east of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.... . |
|
| 63 | Woodside Woodside, Nova Scotia Woodside is an unincorporated lower to middle income urban community of Dartmouth, within the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. The community is divided into North Woodside and South Woodside. Woodside is home to two hospitals: the Dartmouth General Hospital and the Nova Scotia... |
Bridge Terminal | Irving & Franklyn | Weekday service only. | |
| 64 | Akerley | |
Bridge Terminal | Akerley & McClusky | Weekday rush hour service only. |
| 65 | Caldwell | Portland Hills Terminal | Caldwell & Cole Harbour | ||
| 66 | Penhorn | Cobequid Terminal | Gaston Loop | Used to provide service to the Woodside Ferry, and Forest Hills. | |
| 68 | Cherrybrook Cherrybrook, Nova Scotia Cherrybrook is predominantly a Black community located to the north of Trunk 7 between Lake Loon and Lake Major, and just a few miles east of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.... |
Bridge Terminal | Cherrybrook & Hwy 7 | Weekday peak service extends from Bridge Terminal to Summer & Trollope. Used to provide service to Ross Road and Auburn. | |
| 72 | Portland Hills Portland Hills, Nova Scotia Portland Hills is a neighbourhood in Dartmouth Nova Scotia that is part of the Halifax Regional Municipality that is located east of Lake Morris and Portland Estates. It is an extension of the community of Portland Estates along Portland Street . One of the municipality's new bus rapid transit... |
Portland Hills Terminal | Finlay & Shuble | ||
| 80 | Sackville Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia Lower Sackville is a suburban community located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is part of the urban area of Halifax .... |
Upper Water & Cornwallis | Downsview Mall | ||
| 81 | Hemlock Ravine | Upper Water & Cornwallis | Bedford & Uteck | Weekday service only. Used to service Bedford | |
| 82 | Millwood | Cobequid Terminal | Sackville Terminal | Weekday peak service extends from Cobequid Terminal to Barrington & George | |
| 83 | Springfield | Sackville Terminal | Springfield Estates | ||
| 84 | Glendale Express | |
Summer & Trollope | Sackville Terminal | Weekday service only. |
| 85 | Downsview Express | |
Summer & Trollope | Sackville Terminal | Weekday service only. Used to be the Bedford Express. |
| 86 | Basinview Express | |
Summer & Trollope | Hwy 1 & Rockmanor | Weekday service only. Used to connect Bedford and Dartmouth. |
| 87 | Glendale | Bridge Terminal | Sackville Terminal | Used to service Halifax and Connolly. | |
| 88 | Bedford Commons | Cobequid Terminal | Sackville Terminal | Used to service Atlantic Acres. | |
| 89 | Bedford Bedford, Nova Scotia Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour... |
Lacewood Terminal | Cobequid Terminal | Weekday service only. | |
| 90 | Larry Uteck | Lower Water Street Terminal | Larry Uteck Roundabout | ||
| 159 | Portland Hills Link | |
Barrington & Duke | Portland Hills Terminal | Weekday service only. |
| 165 | Woodside Link | |
Woodside Ferry Terminal | Portland Hills Terminal | Weekday service only. |
| 185 | Sackville Link | |
Barrington & Duke | Downsview Mall | Weekday service only. |
| 330 | Tantallon | |
Albemarle & Duke | Tantallon Rink Park & Ride | Weekday service only. |
Wheelchair – Uses Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses only.
Rush Hour Service Only. Designated Bike Route.
MetroLink Service (see MetroLink section below) MetroX Service (see MetroX section below) University routes that, until the summer of 2010 only operated during the university academic calendar year (September – April).Defunct
- 3 Gottingen (1927–1989)
- 8 Windsor (1963–1999)
- 11 Macdonald Bridge (1955–1988)
- 12 Flamingo (1970–2003)
- 16 Stanley Park (1995–1998)
- 19 Fotherby (1990–2000)
- 22 Exhibition Park (1993–2004)
- 26 Shuttle (1993–2008)
- 30 Glenforest (1975–1999)
- 34 Rockingham Express (1982–1990)
- 35 Rosedale (1995–2000)
- 40 Mumford – Dalhousie (2006–2006)
- 48 Highfield (1990–1999)
- 50 Portland Estates (1980–1996)
- 50 BIO (2001–2004)
- 56 Westphal (1980–1989)
- 57 Mic Mac (1980–1989)
- 61 Bisett (1980–1996)
- 66 Forest Hills – Woodside Ferry (1987–1989)
- 68 Auburn (1980–1995)
- 68 Ross Road (1995–2000)
- 71 Forest Hills Express (1982–1989)
- 81 Bedford (1980–1985)
- 85 Bedford Express (1980–1991)
- 86 Bedford – Dartmouth (1987–1988)
- 87 Connolly (1990–1997)
- 88 Atlantic Acres (1993–1994)
University routes that only operated during the university academic calendar year (September – April).Express service
MetroLink is Metro Transit's BRT (Bus Rapid Transit
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
) express bus service that operates Monday to Friday. The system consists of three limited-stop fully accessible express routes, connecting downtown Halifax
Downtown Halifax
Downtown Halifax is the city centre of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern-central portion of the Halifax Peninsula, on Halifax Harbour, it serves as the business, entertainment, and tourism hub of the region.- Municipal:...
's Scotia Square
Scotia Square
Scotia Square is a large commercial development in Downtown Halifax, in the Halifax Regional Municipality Nova Scotia managed by Halifax Developments Limited . It was built in the late sixties to mid seventies...
bus terminal, with the Portland Hills terminal in Cole Harbour
Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Cole Harbour is a Canadian suburban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is the hometown of Sidney Crosby.-Geography:...
on the Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
side, and the Sackville Terminal in Lower Sackville
Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Lower Sackville is a suburban community located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is part of the urban area of Halifax ....
. The third route links the Portland Hills Terminal to the Woodside ferry terminal in Dartmouth during morning and afternoon peak service times.
Rural express
MetroExpress, or MetroX for short is Metro Transit's rural express bus service. There is one MetroX route, running between Tantallon to Halifax. There are two other planned routes that will service the rural commutershed of HRM. All routes are to terminate at Scotia Square
Scotia Square
Scotia Square is a large commercial development in Downtown Halifax, in the Halifax Regional Municipality Nova Scotia managed by Halifax Developments Limited . It was built in the late sixties to mid seventies...
in downtown Halifax.
Community transit
There are three Community Transit routes:
- Porters Lake, offering Monday-Saturday service between Portland Hills Terminal in Dartmouth and the communities of East PrestonEast Preston, Nova ScotiaEast Preston is an expansive rural area located in eastern Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, in Atlantic Canada.East Preston was founded in the 19th century. It is believed to have been named after Preston, Lancashire, England or Thomas Preston, a British army officer involved in the...
, Lake EchoLake Echo, Nova ScotiaLake Echo is a community that is part of the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada; approximately 15 kilometres east of Dartmouth...
, PortersPorters Lake, Nova ScotiaPorters Lake is a residential community in the eastern shore region of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada, between Trunk 7 and Route 207, 27.8 km from Halifax. The residents mainly commute to jobs in Dartmouth, Burnside Industrial Park or in Downtown Halifax...
Lake and Grand DesertGrand Desert, Nova ScotiaGrand Désert is a small Acadian community of the Halifax Regional Municipality in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Route 207 situated between West Chezzetcook and Seaforth. The name of the community came from the Acadian word "Désert" meaning: land of no trees...
via Portland St, Cole Harbour Rd, Forest Hills Pkwy and Highway #7.
- Beaver Bank, offering weekday service between the new Sackville Terminal and Beaver Bank Villa in Beaver Bank via the Beaver Bank Road.
- Sambro, offering weekday service between South Centre Mall in SpryfieldSpryfield, Nova ScotiaSpryfield is a community in Mainland Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was founded about 1770, by Captain William Spry, who purchased land there and established the settlement with the aid of stationed soldiers from the nearby Halifax garrison...
and the Ketch Harbour fire hall Ketch HarbourKetch Harbour, Nova ScotiaKetch Harbour is a former rural fishing community on the Chebucto Peninsula in the Halifax Regional Municipality on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean on Route 349, 17 kilometers from Halifax. It is currently inhabited by people who, for the most part, commute to Halifax and its surrounding areas to...
via the old Sambro road and hwy 349. This route uses the same buses as the Metro X service does.
Cash fare on all three routes is $2.25 (Adult/Student) $1.50 (Children/Senior 5–15). Tickets and transfers from other routes are accepted, Monthly bus passes and U-Passes are accepted. Transfers are issued on request on these routes that allow passengers to continue their travels on other Metro Transit routes.
Access-A-Bus
Metro Transit also provides Access-A-Bus service which is a dial-a-ride service for elderly and handicapped residents in the region. This service was created in 1981, the same year Metro Transit was formed. There are approximately 20 Access-A-Bus vehicles .GoTime
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
(GPS) technology to track buses throughout the system, providing information on location and schedule adherence to the transit control centre. This information is also used to update Metro Transit's real time bus departure system available to the general public.
Concept
Each bus stop sign has a blue 4-digit GoTime number on it. A passenger can dial 480- plus the 4-digit number to hear an automated message telling them exactly when the next bus on each route servicing that stop will depart, based on the information calculated above. Also, GoTime monitors are placed at every transit terminal, and a few major stops, listing each of the routes that service that stop and when the next two buses on those routes will arrive at that stop. This information is continually updated as the central GoTime system recalculates bus departure times, using the data collected from the buses. In addition to this, each bus is equipped with an on board computer which continually updates the driver on exactly how many minutes ahead of or behind schedule they are, to ensure schedule adherence. A web-based component was developed to provide departure times information via the internet in both standard internet and mobile internet formats.Technical difficulties and limitations
As of 2010 the system’s functionality was limited to just scheduled transit data (as opposed to live transit data) with information displays at terminals malfunctioning on a regular basis. Metro Transit publicly announced the web-based GoTime system in the Winter of 2007–2008 utilizing a pamphlet distributed in busses that had an incorrect URL (History
The new GPS-based system replaces an older system originally designed by the former City of HalifaxCity of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
between 1984 and 1987, one the earliest real-time passenger information and transit management systems in North America. The previous generation system used wheel rotation sensors to calculate the distance traveled from the start of the route, which was then transmitted back to the transit control centre. This data allowed the system to calculate the buses position along its route, as well as exact departure times for each bus stop ahead of it. In addition to wheel sensors, door sensors were used to determine when the bus was at a stop, and a series of electronic transmitters mounted to power poles along each route allowed the system to further calculate the buses position along its route. As with the current-generation system, the previous system also had a call-in system where a user could call the 4-digit GoTime number on each bus stop and hear an automated message telling them when the next two buses on each route servicing that stop would depart, monitors at all terminals displaying real-time departure information, and on board computers displaying information to drivers on how far ahead or behind schedule they are.
The hardware to support the previous-generation GoTime system had been steadily deteriorating over time, as the last major overhaul to the system was completed in 1996. There is reference to funds being allocated in 1998 for a GoTime upgrade, however, it is believed that the companies that were contracted to perform the upgrade, failed to do so when they each went bankrupt. Due to the instability of the system, it is believed that sometime between 2004 and 2005, the "real-time" functionality of the GoTime system was disabled, as phoning the system seemed only to tell the scheduled departure times, not actual departure times; the phone-in component used the words "scheduled to depart in" when real-time data was unavailable, and "will depart in" when the data was available.
Current
| Manufacturer | Model | Model Years | Fleet Numbers | No. Purchased | No. Remaining in Service | Notes/History |
| GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | 1986 | 896 – 910 | 15 | 2 | Renumbered from 996 – 1010 in 1987. |
| MCI Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... | TC40-102N Classic | 1987 1988 1989 1990 | 921 – 928 929 – 940 941 – 947 948 – 952 | 8 12 7 5 | 1 7 3 5 | Some of these retired due to lots of New Flyer D40LF's in service. |
| MCI Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... / NovaBus | TC60-102N Articulated Classic | 1992 1993 | 701 – 707 708 – 714 | 7 7 | 5 5 | In 1993, MCI Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... was taken over by NovaBus in the middle of the 1993 order; as a result, 708 – 710 bear the MCI logo, while 711 – 714 bear the NovaBus logo. NovaBus discontinued the articulated Classic immediately following the fulfillment of this order. |
| NovaBus | TC40-102N Classic | 1994 1995 1996 | 953 – 966 967 – 974 975 – 985 | 14 8 11 | 13 8 11 | 975 & 976 were test buses running on propane. The fuel provided less power than expected, and the engines were converted to diesel. |
| NovaBus | Nova LFS | 1999 2000 | 986 – 996 997 – 1000 | 11 4 | 11 4 | These were originally designated for use on low floor routes, but now are also commonly used on routes that are not designated as accessible, because the ramps do not function, and the buses do not kneel as they are supposed to. |
| New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... | D30LF | 1999 | 505 – 507 | 3 | 3 | These buses operate on the Beaver Bank and Porters Lake Community Transit service. |
| New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... | D40LF | 2002 2004 2005 2005 2006 2007 20082009 | 1001 – 1032 1033 – 1060 1061 – 1082 600 – 619 1083 – 1107 1108 – 1130 1131 – 1153 1154 – 1159 | 32 28 22 20 25 23 23 6 | 32 28 22 20 25 23 23 6 | 600 – 619 are branded for use on the MetroLink service, but are occasionally pressed into service on conventional routes. 600 – 619, 1083 – 1159 have air conditioning Air conditioning An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle... . |
| New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... | DE60LFR Articulated | 2009 | 715 – 716 | 2 | 2 | 715 – 716 are both hybrids. |
| Glaval Bus Glaval Bus Glaval Bus, a manufacturer of buses, is a division of Forest River. The company is based in Elkhart, Indiana and some bus models are also made by Overland Custom Coach in London, Ontario.-Clients:*MetroX / Metro Transit *Edmonton Transit System... | Titan | 2009 | 516 – 525 | 10 | 10 | 516 – 525 are branded for, and usually operate on, the MetroX and Sambro Community Transit service, but also occasionally provide service on conventional routes. |
| NovaBus | Nova LFS Articulated | 2010 2010 | 717 – 731 732 – 741 | 15 10 | 15 10 | 717 – 731 were put into service on August 30, 2010. 732 – 741 were delivered December 2010 and entered service in February 2011 during the Canada Winter Games. |
Past
| Manufacturer | Model | Model Years | Fleet Numbers | No. Purchased | Notes/History |
| GMDD | T6H-5305 New Look GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The... | 1969 1971 | 801 – 819 820 – 823 | 19 4 | Prior to 1981, these buses were owned by Halifax Transit Corporation |
| GMDD | T6H-4521 New Look GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The... | 1969 1971 | 401 – 455 133 – 135 | 55 3 | Prior to 1981, 401 – 455 were owned by Halifax Transit Corp; 133 – 135 were owned by Dartmouth Transit Service |
| GMDD | TDH-3301 New Look GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The... | 1971 | 130 – 131 | 2 | Prior to 1981, these buses were owned by Dartmouth Transit Service |
| GMDD | TDH-3302N New Look GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The... | 1973 | 137 | 1 | Prior to 1981, this bus was owned by Dartmouth Transit Service |
| GMDD | T6H-4523N New Look GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The... | 1973 1975 1976 1977 | 138 – 139 143 – 144 145 – 147 148 – 150 | 2 2 3 3 | Prior to 1981, these buses were owned by Dartmouth Transit Service |
| GMDD | T6H-5307N New Look GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The... | 1981/82 1975 1978 1982 | 510 – 515 824 – 835 836 – 856 857 – 869 | 6 12 21 13 | Prior to 1981, 824 – 856 were owned by Halifax Transit Corp; 857 – 869 were bought after HTC and DTS merged into Metro Transit; 510 – 515 were purchased from BC Transit. 512 had an electronic sign. |
| GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | 1983 1985 1987 | 870 – 881 882 – 895 911 – 920 | 12 14 10 | The 1983 buses originally had rollsigns, although some have since been converted to electronic destination signs. |
| Orion Bus Industries Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... | 01.501 (Orion I) | 1981 | 501 – 504 | 4 | Purchased from the Toronto Transit Commission Toronto Transit Commission -Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:... in 1990. 501, 502 & 504 were sold to Kings Transit Kings Transit Kings Transit Authority is a public transit agency operating buses in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. The system, incorporated in 1981, is funded by Kings County and the towns of Berwick, Wolfville and Kentville.... , Nova Scotia |
| Orion Bus Industries Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... | 01.506 (Orion I) | 1985 | 308 | 1 | Purchased from the Pictou County Regional Transit Authority in 1996. Sold to Kings Transit Kings Transit Kings Transit Authority is a public transit agency operating buses in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. The system, incorporated in 1981, is funded by Kings County and the towns of Berwick, Wolfville and Kentville.... , Nova Scotia |
| Saab-Scania Saab-Scania Saab-Scania AB was the name chosen when truck and bus manufacturer Scania-Vabis of Södertälje merged with car and aeroplane manufacturer Saab AB of Trollhättan in 1968, under the Wallenberg family group of companies. The merger meant that Saab no longer had to import the British Triumph Slant-4... | CN112A | 1984 | 201 – 212 | 12 | Assembled from 'completely knocked-down' kits by Tri-Star Industries of Yarmouth Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Yarmouth is a town and fishing port located on the Gulf of Maine in rural southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the shire town of Yarmouth County. The town is located in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds and has Canada's highest lobster catch.- History :The townsite may... , NS; purchase subsidised by NS government in an attempt to create a provincial bus-building industry |
Ferries
Current service
Metro Transit also provides two passenger ferry routes, one connecting downtown HalifaxDowntown Halifax
Downtown Halifax is the city centre of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern-central portion of the Halifax Peninsula, on Halifax Harbour, it serves as the business, entertainment, and tourism hub of the region.- Municipal:...
with Alderney Landing
Alderney Landing
Alderney Landing is a convention centre, art gallery, market, and theatre facility in Downtown Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It was opened in May, 1999...
in Dartmouth (which operates daily using two vessels) and the other connecting downtown Halifax with Woodside
Woodside, Nova Scotia
Woodside is an unincorporated lower to middle income urban community of Dartmouth, within the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. The community is divided into North Woodside and South Woodside. Woodside is home to two hospitals: the Dartmouth General Hospital and the Nova Scotia...
(Monday through Friday only using one vessel). The ferry services are integrated with the bus services; the fares are identical, and transfers are accepted between the two systems. The harbour ferries are utilised by over 3,000 commuters daily Each ferry carries up to 398 passengers. The characters of Phillip and Phillmore, the ferry twins from the children's TV show, Theodore Tugboat
Theodore Tugboat
Theodore Tugboat is a Canadian children's television series about a tugboat named Theodore who lives in the Big Harbour with all of his friends. The show was produced in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada by the CBC , and the now defunct Cochran Entertainment, and was filmed on a model set using radio...
are modelled after these vessels.
Proposed high speed service
In recent years, following unfulfilled plans to implement commuter rail, the municipality has begun to plan several new high speed ferry routes on Halifax Harbour, including service to Purcell's CovePurcell's Cove, Nova Scotia
Purcell's Cove is a community within the Halifax Regional Municipality Nova Scotia Canada on the west side of Halifax Harbour from the Northwest Arm to Ferguson's Cove along Route 253 . The first 3 digits of the postal code in the area is B3P.-References:...
, Bedford
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
, Eastern Passage
Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia
Eastern Passage is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.Located at the southeastern edge of Halifax Harbour, fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Passage derives its name from the narrow strait separating the mainland from McNabs Island and Lawlor Island, both...
and Shannon Park
Shannon Park, Nova Scotia
Shannon Park is a former military community on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour in the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is immediately south of the A. Murray MacKay Bridge in the city of Dartmouth...
. These routes would be served by wave piercing catamarans capable of speeds of approximately 40 knots. Details have not been finalized, however it is likely that the downtown Halifax terminal would act as a hub, with all routes radiating outward. Studies and trials have been undertaken for a Bedford-Halifax route, which will likely be the first high speed service.
Current
There are three ferries in operation:- Dartmouth III – Built in 1979 in Pictou, Nova ScotiaPictou, Nova ScotiaPictou is a town in Pictou County, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Located on the north shore of Pictou Harbour, the town is approximately 10 km north of the larger town of New Glasgow....
. - Halifax III – Built in 1979 in Pictou.
- Woodside I – Built in 1986 in Pictou.
All three ferries are double-ended side-loading, and use two 230 hp Caterpillar model 3306 engines, each driving a model 12E/75 Voith-Schneider
Voith-Schneider
The Voith Schneider propeller , also known as a cycloidal drive is a specialized marine propulsion system . It is highly maneuverable, being able to change the direction of its thrust almost instantaneously...
propeller.
Past
The Dartmouth to Halifax ferry service dates from 1752. Following is a list of earlier ferries as far as is known.- Dartmouth II – Built in 1956 in Lunenburg, Nova ScotiaLunenburg, Nova ScotiaLunenburg , is a Canadian port town in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.Situated on the province's South Shore, Lunenburg is located on a peninsula at the western side of Mahone Bay. The town is approximately 90 kilometres southwest of the county boundary with the Halifax Regional Municipality.The...
, retired in 1979. - Halifax II – Built in 1956 in Lunenburg, retired in 1979.
- Scotian – Built in 1946 in Pictou, Nova ScotiaPictou, Nova ScotiaPictou is a town in Pictou County, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Located on the north shore of Pictou Harbour, the town is approximately 10 km north of the larger town of New Glasgow....
, retired in 1955. - Governor Cornwallis – Built in 1941 in Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaDartmouth, Nova ScotiaDartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
, retired in 1944 (destroyed by fire). - Dartmouth – Built in 1934 in Lauzon, QuebecLauzon, QuebecLauzon is a former city in southern Quebec, Canada, located on the St. Lawrence River northeast of Lévis. Founded in 1910, Lauzon had a population of about 14,500 when it merged with Lévis in 1989...
, retired in 1957. - Halifax – Built in 1911, retired in 1956.
- Chebucto – Built in 1906, retired in 1951.
- Annex 2 – Built in 1878 in New Baltimore, New YorkNew Baltimore, New YorkNew Baltimore is a town in Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 3,370 at the 2010 census.The Town of New Baltimore is in the northeast part of the county.- History :The region was part of the Mahican homeland....
, retired in 1909 (destroyed by fire). - Arcadia – Built in 1884 in Yarmouth, Nova ScotiaYarmouth, Nova ScotiaYarmouth is a town and fishing port located on the Gulf of Maine in rural southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the shire town of Yarmouth County. The town is located in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds and has Canada's highest lobster catch.- History :The townsite may...
, retired in 1891. - Dartmouth – Built in 1888 in Yarmouth, retired in 1935.
- Chebucto – Built in 1878 in Dartmouth, retired in 1892.
- Mic Mac – Built in 1878 in Dartmouth, retired in 1901.
- Boxer – Built in 1838 in Dartmouth, retired in 1864.
- Sir C. Ogle – Built in 1830 in Dartmouth, retired in 1894.
- Sherbrooke – Built in 1816 in Dartmouth, retired in 1830.
See also
- Transportation in the Halifax Regional MunicipalityTransportation in the Halifax Regional MunicipalityThe Halifax Regional Municipality is a major multi-modal transportation centre for freight and passengers.-Air:Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which serves HRM and virtually all of peninsular Nova Scotia, is located in the northern part of the municipality near the border with Hants County...
- Halifax Regional Municipality
External links
- Metro Transit's official website
- Complete route map for Halifax-Dartmouth area.
- Complete route map for Bedford-Sackville area.
- Schedules, maps for individual routes, riders guide.
- hbus.ca Community-based trip-planning service for Halifax