Tap-to-pay option on Halifax Transit buses, ferries delayed to December: report

A Halifax Transit bus drives through the Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth on Mar. 6, 2026. (CTV Atlantic / Callum Smith)

Halifax Transit’s tap-to-pay feature was expected to launch along with the increase in bus and ferry fares this September, but additional development has pushed it to December, according to a new council report.

On Tuesday, Halifax council is scheduled to vote on Bylaw U-100, which, if passed, will reflect the fare changes that were approved in the 2026-2027 budget. The proposed changes will increase bus and ferry rates by 25 cents per trip on Sept. 21.

The cost of an adult ticket will be $3.25.

The report on Bylaw U-100 noted the tap-to-pay fare option, which would allow customers to board buses and ferries by tapping a contactless card, mobile wallet or smart device, was scheduled to launch on Sept. 21.

“Following further technical and project-delivery review, it was determined that this timeline is not achievable,” the report reads. “Additional development and integration work is required to ensure the system meets performance, reliability, security, and user experience standards before launch.”

According to the report, the certification requirements for the contactless card processor requires extensive testing and security validation, which will push the expected launch date to late December.

The report also noted the HFXGO app will launch an account-based ticket system, which will let passengers draw from a stored account for each ride instead of buying specific fares, in September.

Halifax plans to roll out a campaign to inform the public about the fare changes and the new payment option in August.

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