Student Transit Pass Pilot Program

We are pleased to announce that the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program has been expanded to include students in grades 7 to 12 in all HRCE and CSAP high schools and junior high schools located in Halifax Regional Municipality for the 2024-2025 school year. The expansion of the program has been made possible through a funding agreement between the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Province of Nova Scotia. 

Student Transit Passes are valid on all Halifax Transit buses, Access-A-Bus, and ferries between September 5, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

This pilot program will be reevaluated in spring 2025 for the next school year.

The program was first approved by Halifax Regional Council in May 2021, and was expanded for the 2024-2025 academic year through a funding agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia. 

Halifax Transit Pop-Ups

Hey there! Ready to make the most of your student transit pass? Halifax Transit booths are popping up at schools throughout HRM soon! Swing by during lunch, chat with a Halifax Transit team member, check out a real Halifax Transit bus, and see how you can help make Halifax a greener city. See the schedule below to see when we’ll be at the following schools. Can’t wait to see you there.

Common Questions

What is the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program?

The Student Transit Pass Pilot Program provides grades 7 to 12 students from all high and junior high schools in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) located in the Halifax Regional Municipality with a transit pass for the 2024-2025 school year. With the pass, students have access to Halifax Transit buses, Access-A-Bus and ferries, at no cost to those participating in the pilot program.

Which schools are participating in the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program?

All HRCE and CSAP high schools and junior high schools in the Halifax region are participating in the program:

• École secondaire du Sommet
• École secondaire Mosaïque
• École du Carrefour
• École des Beaux-Marais
• École Mer et Monde
• Auburn Drive High School
• Astral Drive Junior High School
• A.J. Smeltzer Junior High School
• Bedford & Forsyth Education Centre (Dartmouth Campus)
• Bay View High School
• Bicentennial School
• Brookside Junior High School
• Caledonia Junior High School
• Cole Harbour District High School
• Citadel High School
• Charles P. Allen High School
• Clayton Park Junior High School
• Cunard Junior High School
• Dartmouth High School
• Dartmouth South Academy
• Eric Graves Memorial Junior High School
• Ellenvale Junior High School
• Elizabeth Sutherland Junior High School
• Eastern Passage Education Centre
• Eastern Shore Consolidated School
• Five Bridges Junior High School
• Bedford & Forsyth Education Centre (Bedford Campus)
• Fairview Junior High School
• Gorsebrook Junior High School
• Gaetz Brook Junior High School 
• Graham Creighton Junior High School
• Georges P. Vanier Junior High School
• Herring Cove Junior High School
• Halifax Central Junior High School
• Highland Park Junior High School
• Harold T. Barrett Junior High School
• Halifax West High School
• Island View High School
• J. L. Ilsley High School
• John Martin Junior High School
• Lockview High School
• Leslie Thomas Junior High School
• Marine Drive Academy
• Millwood High School
• Musquodoboit Rural High School
• Madeline Symonds Middle School
• Oyster Pond Academy
• Oxford Street School
• Park West School
• Rocky Lake Junior High School
• Ridgecliffe Middle School
• Ross Road School
• Rockingstone Heights School
• St. Agnes Junior High School
• Sir Robert Borden Junior High School
• Sackville High School
• Sackville Heights Junior High School
• West Bedford High School
• Woodlawn High School

How do students use the pass?

Students are required to show their student transit pass to a bus Operator or a member of ferry security staff when boarding a bus or ferry. 

Are resources available to help teach students how to use 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; and

•    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 on our website.

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

For more information about Halifax Transit’s services, visit our website, or contact 311.

How will students receive their pass? 

Student transit passes will be distributed by each school’s administration offices.

I do not wish for my child to receive a free Halifax Transit student 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 on our website.

For more information about Halifax Transit’s Access-A-Bus service, visit our website, or contact 311.

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

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

What will happen if a student loses their student transit pass?

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

Will the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program be made into a permanent program?

Halifax Transit's Student Transit Pass Pilot Program will be reevaluated in spring 2025 for the next school year.

How is the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program funded?

The Student Transit Pass Program was first approved by Halifax Regional Council program in May 2021.It was extended for the 2024-2025 school year through a funding agreement between the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Province of Nova Scotia.

I already bought a September 2024 monthly pass for my child. Am I able to get a refund?

Yes. Halifax Transit can refund anyone who purchased a September 2024 monthly pass for a student. 

Please call 311 or email at: contactus@311.halifax.ca to request a refund for the September 2024 Youth monthly pass.

If you purchased a Youth September 2024 monthly pass on HFXGO, please share the email address associated with the HFXGO account you used to purchase the pass.

If you purchased a Youth September 2024 monthly pass at a Halifax Transit retail partner, please submit a photo of the pass you purchased.  

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; and

•    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 on our website.

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

For more information about Halifax Transit’s services, visit our website, or contact 311.