Halifax Transit
Metro Transit | |
---|---|
http://i.imgur.com/C7cqe.jpg | |
Info | |
Transit type |
Bus Paratransit Ferry |
Number of lines |
57 Regular Routes 3 MetroLink Routes 3 Community Routes 2 Harbour Ferries 1 MetroX Route |
Daily ridership | Approx. 19,500,000(2008) |
Headquarters | 200 Ilsley Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia |
Website | http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/ |
Operation | |
Began operation | January 1st, 1979 |
Operator(s) | Halifax Regional Municipality |
Number of vehicles | 315 |
Metro Transit is a Canadian public transport agency operating buses and ferries in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
Metro Transit is owned by the Halifax Regional Municipality (HSR). Metro Transit provides services to Halifax and Dartmouth and the surrounding suburbs. Metro Transit was named the largest transit company in the Atlantic provinces.
History
Metro Transit was created in 1979 by merging of different transit companies from the Halifax/Dartmouth regions. Halifax Transit Corporation and Dartmouth Transit Service were merged in order to provide a more reliable service in the region. Though officially under the name of Metro Transit, Metro Transit only began operation of the company in early 1980. In the early years, buses were still being stored in the predecessor garages, then Metro Transit opened their own in 1981. A new garage was built in Burnside and opened in March 1981.
Metro Transit was one of the first companies to order the Classic Model, made in 1983 by GM. In 1984 Metro Transit experimented with a Saab Scanias, a funded test with the provincial government.
In 1992, Metro Transit ordered an articulated version of the classic model. This model was first delivered at the end of 1992, early 1993, by MCI. A total of 7 MCI articulated classics were delivered before the portion of MCI which made transit vehicles was sold to NovaBus, another 7 were made by NovaBus in 1993. Shortly after the last Metro Transit articulated classic, NovaBus discontinued the model.
Financial difficulties hit Metro Transit hard between 1996 and 1999, where budget cuts forced them to decrease service. No buses were ordered between this period and they had trouble providing service for the ever growing demand. In 1999, they received their first ever low floor buses. 10 buses were ordered from NovaBus in 1999 and 4 more in 2000. After receiving these low-floor buses, routes 3 and 7 were made a 100% Low Floor bus service, followed by the 54 the following year. Due to reliability issues, the 1999 and 2000 buses wheelchair ramp stopped working, therefore Metro Transit removed the wheelchair symbol off the 1999 buses, but never removed it from the 2000 buses.
In 2002, Metro Transit preferred NFI D40LF model. They ordered 32 in 2002 and an additional 145 in later years. Most of these buses were ordered to replace older buses, that were retired. Though this big order, did not help Metro Transit with the lack of vehicles and service, due to the increasing demand.
2011 Fare Structure
Regular Service
Fare Media | Ticket Type | Validity Period | Regular Fare | Reduced Fare | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5-15 years 65+ years |
Student | |||||
Regular Cash | 1 ticket | 90 minutes | 2.25 $ | 1.50 $ | N/A | |
10 Tickets | Each Ticket: 90 minutes |
18.00 $ | 13.00 $ | N/A | ||
MetroCard | Monthly Pass | 1 Calander Month | 18.00 $ | 13.00 $ | N/A |
MetroLink Service
Fare Media | Ticket Type | Validity Period | Regular Fare | Reduced Fare | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5-15 years 65+ years |
Student | ||||||
With ticket, MetroPass, UPass or transfer | |||||||
Regular Cash | 1 ticket | 90 minutes | 2.75 $ | 2.00 $ | N/A | Add 0.50 $ | |
MetroLink Pass | Monthly Pass | 1 Calander Month | 85.00 $ | N/A | N/A |
MetroX Service
Fare Media | Ticket Type | Validity Period | Regular Fare | Reduced Fare | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5-15 years 65+ years |
Student | ||||||
With ticket, MetroPass, UPass or transfer | With MetroLink pass or transfer | ||||||
Regular Cash | 1 ticket | 90 minutes | 3.25 $ | 2.50 $ | N/A | Add 1.00 $ | Add 0.50 $ |
MetroLink Pass | Monthly Pass | 1 Calander Month | 100.00 $ | N/A | N/A |
Bus Service
Regular Service
Metro Transit operates 57 Regular Routes in the regions Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Sackville). Other areas covered include rural areas between (Eastern Passage, North Preston, Cherry Brook, Tantallon and Herring Cove). Bus routes are numbered depending on the service type or by the region they serve.
MetroLink Service
Metro Transit operates 3 MetroLink Routes which connect downtown Halifax Terminal (Scotia Square bus terminal) with Portland Hills and Sackville Terminals. Another MetroLink Route runs between Portland Hills terminal and Woodside Ferry Terminal. All MetroLink routes are numbered in the 100 series and use uniquely NFI D40LF buses. The buses assigned to this route feature a distinctive livery and feature transit priority measures to speed up service.
MetroX Rural Express
Metro Transit presently operates two MetroX routes, with future plans to add one more. MetroX routes provide service from Downtown Halifax (Scotia Square Terminal) to rural areas along the province's 100 series highways. The MetroX routes are numbered in the 300 series with the second digit representing the highway it serves. Route 330 is served by Glaval Bus Titans and feature a distinctive livery, while route 320 is served by Nova Bus LFS equipped with luggage racks and air conditioning. Bike racks are available on both routes.
Community Routes
Metro Transit operates a rural bus system, and was given the name of Community Routes. These routes have no route numbers nor do they have a designated bus stop. These community routes provide service to Beaver Bank, Porter Lake, East Preston and Sambro. All community routes are served by NFI D30LF, except during busier times where NFI D40LF's are used. The Samboro route is served by Glaval Bus Titans.
Ferry Routes
Metro Transit provides 2 ferry routes. Operating between Halifax (Lower Water terminal) and Dartmouth (Alderney Landing) which operates daily using 2 ferries. The other route connects downtown Halifax and Woodside. The second routes operates Monday through Friday during Rush Hour Only and operates using 1 ferry.
Access-A-Bus Routes
Access-A-Bus is the equivalent to paratransit in other cities. This service is a dial-a-ride system for the elderly and handicapped residents of the city. Access-A-Bus Routes are served by 20 cutaways.
Routes
- 01-29: Serves Halifax 7 days a week
- 30-39: Serves Halifax during Rush Hour Only
- 40-49: Dalhousie University
- 50-79: Serves Dartmouth
- 80-89: Serves Bedford and Lower Sackville
- 100 Series: MetroLink
- 300 Series: MetroX
- Community Transit Routes: Serves Rural communities
Terminals
Name | Type | Location | # of Routes |
---|---|---|---|
Mumford | Bus | Halifax Shopping Centre | 14 |
Bayers Road | Bus | Bayers Road Shopping Centre | 7 |
Lacewood | Bus | Clayton Park | 13 |
Scotia Square | Bus | Barrington St. (Downtown Halifax) |
35 |
Halifax | Ferry | Downtown Halifax | 0 |
Lower Wter Street | Bus | Lower Water St. (Downtown Halifax) |
7 |
Dalhousie | Bus | Dalhousie University | 4 |
Bridge | Bus | Wyse Rd (Dartmouth) |
19 |
Dartmouth | Ferry | Alderney Drive (Dartmouth) |
8 |
Woodside | Ferry | Atlantic Avenue (Woodside) |
3 |
Penhorn | Bus | Penhorn Mall | 10 |
Portland Hills | Bus | Cole Harbour | 10 |
Mic Mac Mall | Bus | Mic Mac Mall | 6 |
Highfield | Bus | Highfield Park Drive (Dartmouth) |
8 |
Cobequid | Bus | Cobequid Drive (Lower Sackville) |
8 |
Downsview | Bus | Downsview Mall | 8 |
Sackville | Bus | Highway 101 (Sackville) |
9 |
Tecoma Centre | Bus | Transfer Point (Dartmouth) |
4 |
Hubley Centre | Bus | Transfer Point (Tantallon) |
2 |
Park&Ride Lots
+ = Bike Locker Avaliable
* = Closing September 1st, 2011
Location | Cost | Capcity |
---|---|---|
Sackville Terminal + | Free | 315 |
Woodside Ferry Terminal | Free for MetroPass Holders. | 300 |
Portland Hills Terminal + | Free | 230 |
Hubley Centre Tantallon |
Free | 185 |
Cobequid Terminal | Free | 110 |
Dartmouth Ferry Terminal | MetroPass Holders + 30$/Month | 110 |
Penhorn Terminal * | Free | 50 |
Bridge Terminal Dartmouth Sportsplex |
32$/Month | 50 |
Maybank Field Mic Mac Bvld |
Free | 30 |
South Centre Mall | Free | 15 |
Mumford Terminal | Free | 30 |
Exhibition Park Ragged Lake |
Free | 50 |
Centennial Arena Fairview |
Free | 315 |
Garages
Name | Location | Type of Vehicules | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Ilsley Transit Centre | 200 Ilsley Avenue Burnside Instrial Park, Dartmouth |
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Ragged Lake Transit Centre | Prospect Road Ragged Lake Business Park, Halifax |
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Thornhill Garage | Thornhill Drive Burnside Instrial Park, Dartmouth |
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Fleet Roster
Active Fleet - Buses
Thumbnail | Fleet number range | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
505 to 507 | 1999 | NFI | D30LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B300R |
| |
516 to 525 | 2009 | GM/Glavel Bus | C5500/Titan | GM Duramax 6.6L | Allison 2200 |
| |
600 to 619 | 2005 | NFI | D30LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R |
| |
701 to 710 | 1992/1993 | MCI | TC60-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison VR731 | ||
711 to 714 | 1993 | NovaBus | TC60-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allsion VR731 |
| |
715 to 716 | 2009 | NFI | DE60LFR | Cummins ISL | Allison EP 50 Hybrid System | ||
717 to 741 | 2010 | NovaBus | LFS Artic | Cummins ISL9 | ZF 6AP1700B | ||
896 to 910 | 1986 | GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92 | Allsion V730 | ||
921 to 928 | 1987 | MCI | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92 | Allsion V730 | ||
http://transitfan.com/gallery/var/thumbs/M66TG/Bus-Photos/martimes/halifax/MT/METROT-940-04082011-03.jpg [1] |
929 to 940 | 1988 | MCI | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allsion V730 | |
941 to 947 | 1989 | MCI | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allsion V731 | ||
948 to 952 | 1990 | MCI | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allsion V731 | ||
953 to 966 | 1994 | NovaBus | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allsion V731-D | ||
967 to 974 | 1995 | NovaBus | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | ZF 4HP590 | ||
975 to 985 | 1996 | NovaBus | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | ZF 4HP590 |
| |
986 to 996 | 1999 | NovaBus | LFS 40102 | Cummins ISC | Allison B400R | ||
987 to 1000 | 2000 | NovaBus | LFS 40102 | Cummins ISC | Allison B400R | ||
1001 to 1032 | 2002 | NFI | D40LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R | ||
1033 to 1060 | 2004 | NFI | D40LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R | ||
1061 to 1082 | 2005 | NFI | D40LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R | ||
1083 to 1107 | 2006 | NFI | D40LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R |
| |
1108 to 1131 | 2007 | NFI | D40LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R |
| |
1132 to 1153 | 2008 | NFI | D40LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R |
| |
1154 to 1159 | 2009 | NFI | D40LF | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R |
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Active Fleet - Ferries
Thumbnail | Name | Year | Manufacturer | Engine | Propellers | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Halifax III | 1979 | Ferguson Industries Pictou, NovaScotia |
Caterpillar Model 3306 (X2) | Voith-Schneider 12E/75 (X2) | ||
Dartmouth III | 1979 | Ferguson Industries Pictou, NovaScotia |
Caterpillar Model 3306 (X2) | Voith-Schneider 12E/75 (X2) | ||
Woodside I | 1986 | Ferguson Industries Pictou, NovaScotia |
Caterpillar Model 3306 (X2) | Voith-Schneider 12E/75 (X2) |
Retired Fleet
Thumbnail | Fleet number range | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
201 to 212 | 1984 | SAAB-Scania | CN112A | ||||
308 | 1985 | OBI | Orion 01.501 | Detroit Diesel 6V53N | Allison MT643 | ||
501 to 504 | 1981 | OBI | Orion 01.501 | Detroit Diesel 6V52N | Allison MT643 | ||
510 to 515 | 1981/1982 | GMDD | T6H-5307N New Look | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Allison V730 | ||
857 to 869 | 1982 | GMDD | T6H-5307N New Look | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Allison V730 | ||
870 to 881 | 1983 | GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Allison V730 | ||
882 to 895 | 1985 | GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92 | Allison V731 | ||
911 to 920 | 1987 | GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V92 | Allison V731 |
Retired Fleet - Ferries
- Dartmouth II - Built in 1956: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
- Halifax II - Built in 1956: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
- Scotian - Built in 1946: Pictou, Nova Scotia
- Governor Cornwallis - Built in 1941: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
- Dartmouth - Built in 1934: Lauzon, Quebec
- Halifax
- Chebucto
- Annex 2
- Arcadia
- Dartmouth
- Chebucto
- Mic Mac
- Boxer
- Sir C. Ogle
- Sherbrooke