Although Halifax Transit is asking for an increase to its budget for next year, a transit advocacy group says planners are not talking about ways to get more people riding the bus.

The proposal includes a new express route from West Bedford to downtown as well as a redesigned Barrington Street route to make it more efficient, particularly on weekends.

"There's nothing revolutionary about the plan," said Jeffrey Blair, a member of It's More Than Buses.

"What we really need to see is a plan that actually explains how we're working to get people out of cars and increasing ridership on transit."

Faster, more reliable service needed

Halifax Transit officials have proposed a $1.8-million increase to next year's budget.

The budget would include $115.6 million for operating costs and $28.7 million for capital projects.

Blair estimates that 12 per cent of daily commuters in the Halifax region use transit. He wants to see that number increase to 20 per cent.

For that to happen, Blair said the system has to become faster and more reliable.

Using buses more efficiently

One way to do that is to reduce duplication along certain routes.

"Barrington Street has a thousand buses a day going along that stretch of road," said Blair.

"We need to look at ... how they can be better utilized."

Proposed capital projects include renovations to the ferry terminal on the Halifax side of the harbour, as well as the installation of 120 landing pads to make bus routes more accessible.

Regional council has to approve the budget recommendations. Budget debate begins Wednesday.