Halifax Transit

[Reesor]

I find myself in a few conversations defending the transit in this city. In a lot of places the city is at the mercy of geography, and low revenue vs capital required to make major improvements. It's not like the city has infinite money to make transit better. They can't raise fares to make more money... that would push people away from taking it. They can't raise property taxes more to pay for it, as that wouldn't go well with the majority of voters and they'd need to raise taxes significantly to have any tangible effect. Consolidating the routes like they've done in the last 5 years to put the focus on high-ridership routes is a good start. Gradually adding bus lanes where land allows and ensuring traffic signals favor busses is a good thing and will show more improvement as networks are connected. Having priority bus lanes that end, putting busses in more traffic is annoying. But they have to start somewhere.

Having said all that, there are things that they can better control that would make the transit experience better for residences and tourists, and payment method options are a low-hanging fruit. To me, the most embarrassing thing is that you can't walk into one of those nice transit terminals and purchase a bus ticket... either by vending machine or at the convenience store. That is a choice made by the city. You literally just have to give the store tickets to sell. Not having that is cringe-worthy. The length of time it has taken to get tap-payments or an app is cringe-worthy. Promoting tourism and then not giving tourists an easy way to get around the city is cringe-worthy. There should be a daily or weekly pass available at the airport, train station & cruise ship ports so tourists can easily get around. That is such an easy thing to do, and it's a crime how long it has taken to implement.

Scheduling and the full implementation of a hub-&-spoke system can also be improved. There are some people that complain about random routes like Beaverbank to Eastern Passage that take 2 1/2 hours. That's always going to take a long time. But routes like Sackville to Bayers Lake, Lacewood to downtown etc don't need to be milk runs. For a true hub-&-spoke system to work, connections between terminals have to be established and be quick. You can run a bus between Sackville and Lacewood Terminals easily. Then ensure your connections are solid for busses going to Bayers Lake and surrounding shopping areas. I stopped going to events downtown by bus because when I lived off of Lacewood because the options for busses were horrible. Lacewood to downtown via express busses should be available all day, in the evening until 12pm to promote bus travel for events at the Scotiabank Center, and on the weekends.

Halifax isn't a grid, and it doesn't have a lot of land available on main roads to lend to bus lanes. The system is never going to be as good as a city that is a full grid. But there are things it can change, and it deserves the criticism it receives for the payment options and some of the schedule nightmares in my opinion.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

Its ridiculous we don't already have a modern payment system for transit, but isn't his coming this fall?

They have been saying 'this fall' since at least last fall
https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada...-pay-fares-on-halifax-transit-100779487/

And then they said, sorry, no this (2022) winter.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot...-app-could-be-here-by-december-1.6604783

And then 'sometime in 2023'... and here we are in Q3 with no updates beyond 'coming soon'.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot...paying-app-rolling-out-in-2023-1.6674660

I will believe it when I see it.

[Phalanx]

Not to mention that Halifax Transit's plan is less that ambitious with a 4 phase implementation plan and we're only talking about phase 1 that doesn't even require the installation of hardware on the buses (it will allow you to buy and show a picture of an electronic ticket, basically).

Implementation of the Electronic Fare Management Strategy

Phase 1 of the Electronic Fare Management Strategy will launch in the Fall of 2022 with the introduction of
a new mobile payment app. The app will allow passengers to purchase electronic tickets or passes using
a smartphone. This initial phase will rely on visual validation from the Operator. To use the system,
passengers will activate their ticket or pass and display their smartphone to the Operator, in the same way
they currently present a monthly pass or paper transfer.

Phase 2 of the Strategy will include the implementation of onboard validation devices which will require
passengers to scan their electronic proof of payment upon boarding. This phase will utilize the same mobile
payment app from Phase 1, and once implemented, visual validation by the Operator will no longer be
required. Timing for the implementation of onboard validation devices will occur approximately nine months
following the launch of the mobile payment app.

Phases 3 and 4 of the plan will introduce limited-use pre-loaded smart cards and Europay, MasterCard,
and Visa (EMV) contactless bank card (debit or credit cards with contactless payment functionality
enabled). The scope of both phases is still to be determined and may require the implementation of kiosks
for payment.

Cash, physical tickets, and passes will continue to be accepted by Halifax Transit, and physical tickets and
passes will continue to be available for sale through our retail partners, discounted fare partners (EPass,
UPass) or through customer contact centres.

Source

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

I should not have to visit multiple locations or be redirected to an entirely different location if I'm just trying to get access the bus, and the distribution is far from even. Saying '47 is a lot for a small metro area' does not take into account geography or where you're trying to access tickets, not to mention that the sales points are not clearly indicated or consistent. Buying passes and tickets should not be a scavenger hunt.

An electronic fare system bypasses the need for all of this. Even decades old technology like ticket kiosks at terminals, or reloadable/reusable fare cards would negate some of this. But Halifax has done none of this even years after these things are becoming obsolescent with the broader adoption of electronic fares.

Why are we constantly okay with accepting lesser service? Why is it okay not to expect the basic quality of life features that other bigger AND smaller cities have? We're far too tolerant of mediocrity.

Nobody is saying it's ok or that electronic payment isn't good or important. You're repeatedly refuting an argument that nobody is making. All I'm doing is dialing down the hyperbole of people painting it as a bigger issue than it actually is. Is it impossible to have greater nuance than the extremes of "It's an utter calamity!!!" and "it's perfectly fine" anymore?

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Nobody is saying it's ok or that electronic payment isn't good or important. You're repeatedly refuting an argument that nobody is making. All I'm doing is dialing down the hyperbole of people painting it as a bigger issue than it actually is. Is it impossible to have greater nuance than the extremes of "It's an utter calamity!!!" and "it's perfectly fine" anymore?

I've said it's a barrier to entry and hurts ridership, not that it's 'a calamity'. It's also complete and utter mismanagement given how long its taken. I'm allowed to expect better, sorry.

[MonctonRad]

I was overjoyed to recently find out that TTC (Toronto) has instituted tap and go in it's system.

I use TTC quite religiously any time I am in Toronto. In the old days, I used tokens (which were purchasable in the subway stations). Tokens are no longer accepted however and last year, when I went to TO for a couple of Blue Jays games with my youngest son, it took me some time to find, and then figure out the automated vending machine at the Young/Dundas station where I could purchase day passes. It was a real hassle. Now, all I'll have to do when I go up there is tap my VISA enabled cellphone at the stile and I'll be all set to go. This will be wonderful and liberating.

Come on Halifax. We are nearly a quarter way through the 21st century. It's high time to get with the program. Tap and go systems are available in metro systems throughout the world (including Toronto and on the "tube" in London). Why not Halifax???

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

It does affect regular users here, though. Passes and tickets have sold out, purchase locations are few and far between, and in an increasingly cashless society, exact change isn't always easy to come by, either. The people it 'doesn't affect' are the people who use it often enough to get around these foibles. It does not make for a pleasant experience for people new the system and is a barrier to entry for creating new ridership. People take transit here because they have no other option and/or on purely ideological grounds, not because it's convenient in any way shape or form.

Halifax began looking at electronic payment options 12 years ago... Over a decade and we may have the first of a four phase plan to implement electronic fares in the next year or so... may... it was supposed to have gone into effect already in spring, then summer, and now 'later this year', so excuse me if I'm not holding my breath. In that decade we've seen larger and smaller transit services alike implement electronic fares, so we're not too big for the process to go quickly, or too small that it's an overwhelming task... this is pure mismanagement and lack of vision. Even decades old options like ticket vending machines at terminals would be a big ease of access improvement to infrequent users.

On top of that, chronic understaffing has led to constant service disruptions, which doesn't encourage faith in the system. And yes, it's a challenging employment environment these days, but there are some simple QoL and payment issues that would go a long way toward employee retention.

Halifax Transit is an embarrassment.

It's beyond pathetic. The excuses are endless. There are always more studies, more consultations, more delays and more money to be wasted with zero real progress. "Phase 4", "2024", etc is a load of BS that will eventually become "Phase 10", "2030" and so on. When it's finally implemented, I guarantee they will go with a subpar, overly expensive and buggy "solution". And by that time, everywhere else will likely have moved onto something better - whatever that might be.

I don't believe a word from Mason or anyone else (with the city) on this subject. They are 100% lying, as they have already done for years and years.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

Note that not one of the 47 locations to buy tickets is at the airport. I can tell you from personal experience that once you find the bus stop, in spite of there being zero signage, on a cold early March night, the driver will not let you board with a $20.00 bill. You must have exact change or you will be left to freeze by Halifax Transit.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Arrdeeharharharbour

Note that not one of the 47 locations to buy tickets is at the airport. I can tell you from personal experience that once you find the bus stop, in spite of there being zero signage, on a cold early March night, the driver will not let you board with a $20.00 bill. You must have exact change or you will be left to freeze by Halifax Transit.

Horrible.

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

There are 47 location across metro that sell the tickets according to the HT site so for a small metro area they're definitely not few and far between. Again I'm not saying electronic payment options aren't good or important. Just keeping things in proper perspective.

You might not classify them as few... but they are definitely far between! There are large chunks of the city where you'd have to take a bus to get tickets... which, uh... I think is... not good.

As others have posted, one of those 47 locations ought to be the airport... terminals should be some of those 47 as well... I'd also suggest we add the Rail Station and Terminal for the interprovincial bus to those critical locations - people arriving without a personal vehicle are just left to fend for themselves. It might seem like small stuff to those of us who live here (and there are some ticket locations a few BLOCKS from the train station/bus terminal), but when I travel, this seems pretty basic to me and is a big part of how I get around a city, whether I'm travelling for business or for pleasure. Only once I can remember did I rent a car when travelling - I was going to Iceland and wanted something to use to see outside of Reykjavik.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

Not to mention that Halifax Transit's plan is less that ambitious with a 4 phase implementation plan and we're only talking about phase 1 that doesn't even require the installation of hardware on the buses (it will allow you to buy and show a picture of an electronic ticket, basically).

I saw online a councillor (Mason, maybe?) saying that the city intends to get through all four phases in only 18 months. Which would be great if so, and bring us from total laggard to, you know, 2023.

But given the extremely long and unexplained delays just getting to phase one, I have my doubts about that timeline.

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

I saw online a councillor (Mason, maybe?) saying that the city intends to get through all four phases in only 18 months. Which would be great if so, and bring us from total laggard to, you know, 2023.

But given the extremely long and unexplained delays just getting to phase one, I have my doubts about that timeline.

Every prior timeline and projection has proven meaningless.
Why should anything be different this time, all of a sudden?

[someone123]

I don't know about the internal reasons or if they will meet the new timeline but the complicated story about buying tickets at certain locations or getting exact change is now so outdated that it would appear strange and confusing to many visitors. Tap came in around a decade ago here and people don't really think about it anymore. Every city I've visited where I've used transit has had it during the past few years, and virtually every merchant has it now.

From what I've heard most visitors consider Halifax's transit pretty unusable except for the ferry which is more of a fun tourist novelty for them. The system is pretty good in terms of basic bus service for locals who use passes (not as good as cities that have LRT or metro-like systems, but maybe up near the top of the bus-only group), but it isn't very user friendly.

[Phalanx]

A recent visitor's reaction: https://twitter.com/vb_jens/status/1684595884359634944

[GTG_78]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

What a prototypical Halifax response to poor service design and implementation of a service provided by govt.! It's like a person who has to deal with crossing a muddy drainage ditch due to negligence by those responsible saying, "Well, I know I have to cross it every day, so I make sure to always wear my rubber boots" when the real issue is WTF you have to deal with it in the first place. There is no excuse.

To be reflexively pro-government requires one to forgive it for its perpetual sin of mismanagement. Otherwise, one risks thinking that government is not always the answer to all of life's problems.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by eastcoastal

You might not classify them as few... but they are definitely far between! There are large chunks of the city where you'd have to take a bus to get tickets... which, uh... I think is... not good.

As others have posted, one of those 47 locations ought to be the airport... terminals should be some of those 47 as well... I'd also suggest we add the Rail Station and Terminal for the interprovincial bus to those critical locations - people arriving without a personal vehicle are just left to fend for themselves. It might seem like small stuff to those of us who live here (and there are some ticket locations a few BLOCKS from the train station/bus terminal), but when I travel, this seems pretty basic to me and is a big part of how I get around a city, whether I'm travelling for business or for pleasure. Only once I can remember did I rent a car when travelling - I was going to Iceland and wanted something to use to see outside of Reykjavik.

Not so much that it's a "small" problem, but it's also not huge. Compared to potential issues which would affect everyone on a regular basis (poor frequency, bad route design, unruly riders, lack of cleanliness, frequent delays, poor service levels, etc,) it doesn't usually affect the vast majority of uses which are locals who use it on a daily basis. It specifically affects those who are unfamiliar with the system, don't carry even small amounts of cash, and haven't been here long enough to learn their options.

It's like saying a shortage of hotel rooms or high hotel room prices is a problem for a city because of how it affects visitors but less of a problem than general housing costs or shortages which would effect everyone. Both can be true.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Not so much that it's a "small" problem, but it's also not huge. Compared to potential issues which would affect everyone on a regular basis (poor frequency, bad route design, unruly riders, lack of cleanliness, frequent delays, poor service levels, etc,) it doesn't usually affect the vast majority of uses which are locals who use it on a daily basis.

I bet it does to some degree though. Around here we have auto-reloading transit cards (monthly pass or by value). I set mine up years ago and never have to think about it. Visitors can just tap their credit or debit cards. It works better for everyone.

It's not a major thing but then again it affects the usability and also the perception that the system is well-run and modern. In a well-run system, all of those many details are looked after and the service itself is good.

[KMcK]

There was a time when Metro/Halifax Transit resisted selling paper tickets, then it resisted selling two zone tickets (all the while resisting ending the zone system), then it resisted selling monthly passes... all the way though the last several decades of resisting every simple/easy/obvious improvement discussed here. Metro/Halifax Transit resisting the future should be our Heritage Minute.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

I should not have to visit multiple locations or be redirected to an entirely different location if I'm just trying to get access the bus, and the distribution is far from even. Saying '47 is a lot for a small metro area' does not take into account geography or where you're trying to access tickets, not to mention that the sales points are not clearly indicated or consistent. Buying passes and tickets should not be a scavenger hunt.

"Sorry, we don't have any tickets today, but we're supposed to have more within the next few days. No problem, though, as the Shoppers 10 blocks away has some - just hop on the Route 6 bus and... oh yeah, right..."

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by KMcK

There was a time when Metro/Halifax Transit resisted selling paper tickets, then it resisted selling two zone tickets (all the while resisting ending the zone system), then it resisted selling monthly passes... all the way though the last several decades of resisting every simple/easy/obvious improvement discussed here. Metro/Halifax Transit resisting the future should be our Heritage Minute.

Representative of the city's approach to almost any sort of progress or positive change.