ITMP 2030 Dashboard

February 2026

Earlier this month, Halifax Transit presented two reports to the Transportation Standing Committee with clear and practical benefits for tourism in the region.

Strategic Roadmap and Core Service Plan

The Halifax Transit Strategic Roadmap 2025–2028 and Core Service Plan 2025–2027 strengthen Halifax’s role as a connected, visitor-ready region by (among other things) recommend 24-hour service on the airport route.

This would be the first overnight conventional bus route in HRM.

Adopting 24-hour airport transit better aligns ground transportation with modern travel patterns - late arrivals, early departures, and a round-the-clock workforce - reducing arrival friction, supporting hospitality workers, and reinforcing the airport’s role as a functional, welcoming front door to the destination.

Microtransit Service Plan

The Microtransit Service Plan outlines a phased approach to introducing on-demand, technology-enabled transit in areas outside the conventional transit network, starting with a pilot in Lucasville.

Using smaller vehicles and flexible routing to connect residents to local destinations and transit hubs, microtransit is positioned as a complement to conventional routes.

While the tourism impact is indirect, the plan has strategic value by improving first/last-mile access in rural and coastal communities. This could expand access to cultural, heritage, and nature-based experiences, support off-peak mobility, and improve labour access for tourism businesses.

January 2026

Halifax Transit is continuing its commitment to delivering an intuitive, transparent, and flexible fare experience for all riders. Part of an ongoing modernization initiative, Halifax Transit has been working closely with its technology vendor to streamline fare payment options, and enhance convenience for both new and regular users. Over the last two years, the HFXGO mobile application was launched and Justride Validator fare scanners were deployed across the fleet. These additions allow riders to easily purchase and use electronic fare products on buses and ferries, offering a more seamless and reliable digital experience.

Building on these improvements, Halifax Transit is preparing to introduce Tap-to-Pay (open payment) for customers. To enable this feature, internal system upgrades are currently underway to enhance service accuracy and meet all technical requirements necessary for open payment capabilities. Once these upgrades are complete, Tap-to-Pay will be launched to the public, allowing riders to pay fares using contactless credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets, further simplifying access to transit across the region. Halifax Transit's goal is to have the improvements available to the public before the end of 2026.

Halifax Transit remains focused on modernizing services and delivering a convenient, user-friendly experience for all residents and visitors.