Halifax launches survey over proposed rapid transit system

The Halifax Regional Municipalityis asking residents what they think about adopting a rapid transit system that wouldincludea new ferry and four new bus routes.

On Monday, the city launched a survey about its proposed rapid transit strategy.

"It's about ensuring that we have fast and frequent service and making sure that we can move residents around the municipality efficiently," said city spokesperson Maggie-Jane Spray.

"Of course, Halifax is a growing city and making sure we're able to meet the demands and move people where they need to go, quickly and efficiently, is a top priority."

The strategyincludes a new 150-passengerferry that would travel between Mill Cove, Shannon Park, Larry Uteck and downtown Halifax, and four new bus routes that would provide service every 10 minutes, seven days a week.

The bus system wouldstop at major destinations and intersections along the following routes:

• DunbrackStreet to Dartmouth Crossing.
• Herring Cove to Spring Garden Road.
• LacewoodDrive to RobieStreet.
• Portland Street to downtown Halifax.

Faster bus service was discussed at a transportation committee meetinglast May and wasprojected to cost up to $132 million. Spray said the proposal has since been adjusted to include different routes.

Spray couldn't say how much the rapid transit system would cost with the additional ferry, but if the system is approved, the city will turn to external partners for funding.

This isn't the first time the municipality has considered a ferry between Bedford and downtown Halifax.In2006, anadditional ferry route was appproved, butfunding couldn't be foundfor the$30-million project.

Spray saidif the strategy is adopted and funding is secured, the system would beimplemented within the next 10 years.

She said the information collected from the survey will be considered when adjusting the strategy, which will be presented beforethetransportation standing committee in the spring.

The survey is available until March 8.

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