Metro Transit (Halifax)
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| Founded | 1981 |
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| Headquarters | 200 Ilsley Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia |
| Service area | Halifax Regional Municipality |
| Service type | Bus and Ferry |
| Routes | 62 total |
| Stops | Over 2,500 |
| Fleet | 268 vehicles |
| Daily ridership | 47,100 (2005/2006)[1] |
| Fuel type | B20 Biodiesel |
| Operator | Halifax Regional Municipality |
| Web site | Official website |
Metro Transit is a Canadian public transport agency operating buses 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 approximately 20 million passengers annually.
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[edit] 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 1981) in Halifax, and Dartmouth Transit Service Buses Ltd. (April 1957-February 1978) and Dartmouth Transit (February 1978-February 1981) 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.
[edit] Bus Service
Currently there are 268 buses in the fleet, 160 of them low-floor vehicles, operating on 56 routes, including three Community Transit routes and three express routes operating as MetroLink, which began service in August 2005.
[edit] Regular service
Metro Transit currently operates 50 conventional transit routes within the metropolitan 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:
Routes in the 00's, the 10's and the 20's are all primarily Halifax-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 campus operating during the academic calendar only, 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, and routes in the 100's are the MetroLink routes (see below). Schedule information and route maps can be found on the Schedules and Route Maps section of the Metro Transit website.
[edit] Fare Structure
| Category | Cash Fare | MetroPass | 20 tickets |
| Adult | $2.00 | $60.00 | $32 |
| Senior/Child | $1.40 | $42.00 | $23 |
| Student | $2.00 | $54.00 | $32 |
In addition, a U-Pass (University bus pass) is available for Saint Mary's, University of King's College and Dalhousie University students, and is included in tuition costs. The current Metro Transit fare structure can be found on the Tickets and Passes page of the Metro Transit website.
Transfers are issued on all Metro Transit buses and ferries (excluding Community Transit, see below). A transfer allows the user to transfer between one bus and another, without having to pay a second fare. Transfers are only good for two hours after they have been issued.
[edit] Transit Routes
Routes:
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Wheelchair - Accessible Low Floor (ALF) route.
Rush Hour Service Only.
MetroLink Service (see MetroLink section below).
Routes 41 and 42 are university routes, and only operate during the academic calendar.
[edit] Express service
MetroLink is Metro Transit's BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) express bus service. 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.
[edit] Rural Express
Metro Transit is in the process of introducing MetroExpress, or MetroX for short. These routes will service the rural commutershed of HRM. All routes are planned to terminate at Scotia Square in downtown Halifax. Three corridors are planned:
- Highway 102 corridor servicing Fall River, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, and Enfield.
- Highway 103 corridor servicing Timberlea, Tantallon, and Hubley with operation commencing in Fall, 2008.
- Highway 107 corridor servicing Preston, Lake Echo, Porters Lake and Musquodoboit Harbour.
[edit] Community Transit
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.
Currently there are 2 Community Transit routes:
- Porters Lake, offering service between Penhorn Mall and Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth and the communities of East Preston, Lake Echo, Porters Lake and Grand Desert via Portland St, Cole Harbour Rd, Forest Hills Pkwy and Highway #7.
- Beaver Bank, offering service between the new Sackville Terminal and Beaver Bank Villa in Beaver Bank via the Beaver Bank Road.
Cash fare on both routes is $3.00. Tickets and transfers from other routes are accepted, but require an additional $1.00 be deposited. Monthly bus passes and U-Passes are accepted and do not require any additional payment.
More information on Community Transit can be found on Metro Transit's Community Transit web page.
[edit] 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.[1] There are approximately 20 Access-A-Bus vehicles[citation needed].
[edit] GoTime
GoTime is the name of Metro Transit's automated vehicle locater (AVL) system. The current 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.
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 is also planned to be introduced, but no details on exactly what this will do have been released by Metro Transit.
The new GPS-based system replaces an older system originally designed by the former City of Halifax between 1984 and 1987. 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 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 has 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[2], 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.
For more detailed operating and historical information on the previous generation GoTime AVL system (phased out late-2007/early-2008), see this article on GoTime, care of Transport Canada.
[edit] Fleet
[edit] Current
| Manufacturer | Model | Model Years | Fleet Numbers | No. Purchased | No. Remaining in Service | Notes |
| GMDD | T6H-5307N New Look | 1981/1982 | 510 - 515 | 6 | 6 | 510 - 515 are used buses purchased from BC Transit in 2003. |
| GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | 1983 1985 1986 1987 |
870 - 881 882 - 895 896 - 910 911 - 920 |
12 14 15 10 |
5 4 6 3 |
The 1983 buses originally had rollsigns, although some have since been converted to electronic destination signs. |
| MCI | TC40-102N Classic | 1987 1988 1989 1990 |
921 - 928 929 - 940 941 - 947 948 - 952 |
8 12 7 5 |
6 11 6 5 |
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| MCI / NovaBus | TC60-102N Articulated Classic | 1992 1993 |
701 - 707 708 - 714 |
7 7 |
7 7 |
In 1993, MCI 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. |
| New Flyer Industries | D30LF |
1999 | 505 - 507 | 3 | 3 | These buses operate on the Community Transit service. |
| NovaBus | Nova LFS |
1999 2000 |
986 - 996 997 - 1000 |
11 4 |
11 4 |
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| New Flyer Industries | D40LF |
2002 2004 2005 2005 2006 2007 |
1001 - 1032 1033 - 1060 1061 - 1082 600 - 619 1083 - 1107 1108 - 1132 |
32 28 22 20 25 25 |
32 28 22 20 25 25 |
600 - 619 operate on the MetroLink service only. 1083 - 1132 have air conditioning. 1108 - 1132 are currently being delivered and have not all arrived yet |
[edit] Past
| Manufacturer | Model | Model Years | Fleet Numbers | No. Purchased | Notes/History |
| GMDD | T6H-5305 New Look | 1969 1971 |
801 - 819 820 - 823 |
19 4 |
Prior to 1981, these buses were owned by Halifax Transit Corporation |
| GMDD | T6H-4521 New Look | 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 | 1971 | 130 - 131 | 2 | Prior to 1981, these buses were owned by Dartmouth Transit Service |
| GMDD | TDH-3302N New Look | 1973 | 137 | 1 | Prior to 1981, this bus was owned by Dartmouth Transit Service |
| GMDD | T6H-4523N New Look | 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 | 1975 1978 1982 |
824 - 835 836 - 856 857 - 869 |
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 |
| Orion Bus Industries | 01.501 (Orion I) | 1981 | 501 - 504 | 4 | Purchased from the Toronto Transit Commission in 1990. 501, 502 & 504 were sold to Kings Transit, Nova Scotia |
| Orion Bus Industries | 01.506 (Orion I) | 1985 | 308 | 1 | Purchased from the Pictou County Regional Transit Authority in 1996. Sold to Kings Transit, Nova Scotia |
| Saab-Scania | CN112A | 1984 | 201 - 212 | 12 | Assembled from 'completely-knocked-down' kits by Tri-Star Industries of Yarmouth, NS; purchase subsidised by NS government in an attempt to create a provincial bus-building industry |
[edit] Ferry service
[edit] Current service
Metro Transit also provides two passenger ferry routes, one connecting downtown Halifax with Alderney Landing in Dartmouth (which operates daily using 2 vessels) and the other connecting downtown Halifax with Woodside (Monday through Friday only using 1 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 3000 commuters daily [2]. Each ferry carries a maximum of 398 passengers.
[edit] 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 Cove, 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.
[edit] Fleet
[edit] Current
- Dartmouth III - Built in 1979 in Pictou, Nova Scotia.
- Halifax III - Built in 1979 in Pictou, Nova Scotia.
- Woodside I - Built in 1986 in Pictou, Nova Scotia.
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.
[edit] Past
- Dartmouth II - Built in 1956 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, retired in 1979.[3]
- Halifax II - Built in 1956 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, retired in 1979.[3]
- Scotian - Built in 1946 in Pictou, Nova Scotia, retired in 1955.[3]
- Governor Cornwallis - Built in 1941 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1944 (destroyed by fire).[3]
- Dartmouth - Built in 1934 in Lauzon, Quebec, retired in 1957.[3]
- Halifax - Built in 1911, retired in 1956.[3]
- Chebucto - Built in 1906, retired in 1951.[3]
- Annex 2 - Built in 1878 in New Baltimore, New York, retired in 1909 (destroyed by fire).[3]
- Arcadia - Built in 1884 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1891.[3]
- Dartmouth - Built in 1888 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1935.[3]
- Chebucto - Built in 1878 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1892.[3]
- Mic Mac - Built in 1878 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1901.[3]
- Boxer - Built in 1838 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1864.[3]
- Sir C. Ogle - Built in 1830 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1894.[3]
- Sherbrooke - Built in 1816 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, retired in 1830.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/news/documents/GoTimes07-newfinalfile.pdf Metro Transit winter 2007 GoTimes newsletter
- ^ http://www.halifax.ca/council/documents/C980630.pdf Halifax Regional Council Minutes, June 30, 1998
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Payzant, J. & Lewis, J (1979): Like A Weaver's Shuttle: A History of the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferries. Nimbus Publishing.
[edit] 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.
- Metro Transit fan site & discussion board
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