Student Transit Pass Pilot Program

Students from four local high schools and six local junior high schools will be provided with a free annual transit pass under the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program, to use on all Halifax Transit conventional buses, Access-A-Bus, and ferries for 2023.

Participating schools and grades are:

Woodlawn High School – Grades 10-12
Dartmouth High School – Grades 9-12
École secondaire du Sommet – Grades 9-12
École secondaire Mosaïque – Grades 9-12
Bicentennial School, Grades 7-9
Caledonia Junior High, Grades 7-9
Dartmouth South Academy, Grades 7-8
Ellenvale Junior High, Grades 7-9
Eric Graves Memorial Junior High, Grades 7-9
John Martin Junior High, Grades 7-9

Phase 1 of the pilot program was approved by Halifax Regional Council on May 18, 2021. Student Transit Passes issued during Phase 1 of the pilot, with a November 30, 2022 renewal sticker, are now valid until December 31, 2022.

Phase 2 of the pilot program was approved by Halifax Regional Council on November 22, 2022.

Results from Phase 2 of the Pilot Program and a recommended approach for next steps will be shared with Halifax Regional Council via a staff recommendation report in the fall of 2023.

Common Questions

What is the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program?

During Phase 1 of the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program, students from four local high schools were provided with a free, annual transit pass for use on all Halifax Transit conventional buses, Access-A-Bus, and ferries during the 2021-2022 school year.

Participating schools and grades were:

Woodlawn High School – Grades 10 - 12
Dartmouth High School – Grades 9 - 12
École secondaire du Sommet – Grades 9 - 12
École secondaire Mosaïque – Grades 9 - 12

On November 22, 2022, Halifax Regional Council approved Phase 2 of the pilot, which extends the pilot for the four current high schools participating in the program, and expands the program to six Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) junior high schools, including:

Bicentennial School – Grades 7 - 9
Caledonia Junior High – Grades 7 - 9
Dartmouth South Academy – Grades 7 - 8
Ellenvale Junior High – Grades 7 - 9
Eric Graves Memorial Junior High – Grades 7 - 9
John Martin Junior High – Grades 7 - 9

Providing access for the entire year increases students’ access to recreational, cultural, and educational facilities, and various part-time employment opportunities.

Halifax Transit's Student Transit Pass Pilot Program will be reevaluated in fall 2023, and results and recommendations will be presented to Halifax Regional Council regarding the future of the program.

How did the program start and why?

The program was inspired by transit agencies across Canada and was approved by Halifax Regional Council on May 18, 2021.

The program aims to provide convenient and accessible transportation for youth and educate students on how to become safe and respectful Halifax Transit riders for years to come.

How will students use the pass?

Students are required to show their student transit pass to the transit Operator when boarding a bus or ferry in lieu of paying a fare.

Student passes for the four high schools who are currently participating in Phase 1 of the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program have been extended until December 31, 2022, to avoid any interruptions to transit access during the transition to Phase 2, beginning January 1, 2023, through to December 31, 2023.

No new extension stickers will be issued at this time; therefore, student passes with the November 30, 2022 renewal sticker are now valid until December 31, 2022.

Students are required to print and sign their name in ink before using the pass.

Students travelling on Regional Express buses (Routes 320, 330, and 370) are not required to pay an additional $1.00 fare with the presentation of their student transit pass.

Will there be a Halifax Transit orientation for students? Is it important to attend?

Orientation sessions for participating schools are tentatively planned for January, 2023.

The orientation sessions are an important piece of the program as they will teach students:

How to use Halifax Transit services, use their pass and plan a trip
Why sustainable, transportation choices are important from a young age
Transit safety, rules on board, and what it takes to be a great passenger

Why were these specific schools chosen?

Participating high schools were selected based on their proximity to existing transit routes and concentrated student population. The six new junior high schools added to the pilot program were selected in consultation with HRCE.

How will students receive their pass?

Student Transit passes will be distributed by each school's administration offices, and students will be required to sign the pass prior to using it.

I do not wish for my child to receive a free Halifax Transit annual pass. What do I do?

Parents may discuss their concerns directly with their child's school administration office.

Do the Student Transit passes provide access to Access-A-Bus?

Student Transit passes will provide students free access to Access-A-Bus services. Students who wish to become Access-A-Bus clients will need to apply to Access-A-Bus before becoming a passenger on this service. To register, complete the Access-A-Bus application form found here. Only those students who meet the qualifications to become Access-A-Bus clients will gain access to this service.

Please visit the Access-A-Bus website for more information. Or contact Access-A-Bus at 902-490-6999 or email contactus@311.halifax.ca.

Is Regional Express service included in the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program?

Yes, Regional Express bus routes (Routes 320, 330, and 370) are included in the program. Students travelling on Regional Express routes are not required to pay an additional $1.00 fare with the presentation of their student transit pass.

What will happen if a student loses their Transit Pass?

If a student loses their Transit Pass, they should go to their school’s administration office to receive a replacement.

Will the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program be extended to the rest of the schools in the municipality?

Additional Educational and Safety Information – How to Ride Halifax Transit

As part of our ongoing commitment to a create an accessible and inclusive transit system for all, we welcome you to enjoy How to Ride: A Guide to Using Halifax Transit, a collection of easy-to-follow guides and videos in multiple languages that cover information about how to:

• Access bus route maps and schedules

• Plan a trip on buses and ferries

• Pay fares and transfer

• Ride safely

This series of guides and videos have been designed to help familiarize new users with how to access the Halifax Transit network. Learn more here.

Feel free to also browse our Passenger Information pages where you will find Passenger Courtesy, Prohibited Conduct, Policies & Guidelines, and Safety Information.