Rising fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East, speeding up the purchase of 10 new buses, and tap-to-pay were cited are some of the reasons Halifax councillors voted in favour of increasing bus fares. The increase will take effect on Sept. 21, which is expected to coincide with the rollout of the tap-to-pay service. “I’m not adverse to a $0.25 increase, particularly given the instability we’re going to be facing in terms of cost over the next little while,” said Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park - Wedgewood Coun. Janet Steele. Transit staff told councillors Halifax is at the low end of transit fees compared to similar-sized cities. But they also said fare increases should come with increases in service, because they also usually result in dips in ridership numbers. “I think $0.25 right now would be a 2.77 per cent ridership drop we would expect,” said Patricia Hughes, the director of planning and customer engagement at Halifax Transit. The motion narrowly passed with an eight to six vote at Halifax’s budget committee debate Thursday evening. Dartmouth Centre Coun. Sam Austin voted against the motion, worrying about people who rely on transit daily. “Over the course of a month, you’re up to ten bucks,” he said. “We’re talking $100, $120 more for someone who’s a transit rider.” “I tend not to want to do this because we’re trying to build ridership rather than take it away,” said Halifax South Downtown Coun. Laura White. But after expediting the purchase of 10 new buses earlier in the budget debate, all part of the Core Service Plan, some councillors argued this was needed. “We need to acknowledge that this transit upgrade is going to be very expensive for the municipality,” said Prospect Road - St. Margarets Coun. Nancy Hartling. David Hendsbee suggested “this fare increase might be part of that down payment for that.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
