Changes in fare collection are in response to keeping the community safe from the spread of COVID-19, and are not intended to encourage increased use of transit services

This is an updated story. The number of passengers is now limited to 50.

NEWS RELEASE

HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

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The Halifax Regional Municipality continues to monitor and respond to the rapidly evolving effects of COVID-19. Steps are being taken to mitigate impacts on municipal services while also helping to reduce the spread of the disease.

The health and wellness of residents and employees is our main priority.

Effective Wednesday, March 18, Halifax Transit passengers will be asked to use the rear doors for boarding and exiting. For those who require the use of the ramp for accessibility, the front door will continue to be used. Regular ferry boarding service will remain in place.

Halifax Transit will suspend all fare collection on bus and ferry services effective Wednesday, March 18 as a result of the municipality’s commitment to safe social distancing.

Halifax Transit has already taken measures to help reduce the spread of disease, including an increased frequency in wipe-downs of high-touch surfaces, making the first seat unavailable to riders on buses, limiting passengers on buses to seated passengers only, and limiting the number of ferry passengers to 50 per trip.

Ridership is down more than 43 per cent on conventional bus service, 51 per cent on ferry service and 67 per cent on Access-A-Bus service. Residents are being thanked for their continued cooperation in the effort to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

All transit services will continue to operate on a regular schedule at this time.

Changes in fare collection are in response to keeping the community safe from the spread of COVID-19, and are not intended to encourage increased use of transit services. Riders are asked to stay on buses and ferries for necessary trips only, and not to loiter.

Residents and visitors who are feeling ill are asked to avoid using all transit services until their health has returned to normal.

For more information on municipal services during the COVID-19 infection, visit Halifax.ca/coronavirus.

Thank you for helping with the community effort to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

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