Halifax Transit is adding new bus routes and cutting others to improve service.
During a Halifax budget committee meeting on Wednesday, the Halifax Transit department proposed a $68.2 million budget, a 13 per cent increase from last year’s budget. The increase will cover salary, benefit increases and new services.
The budget included a proposed $0.25 fare increase to take effect in the fall, which would see adult single fares rise from $2.75 to $3. During the committee meeting, Coun. Shawn Cleary asked staff to find an alternative way to raise funds.
The transit updates would see more buses on the Dalhousie route and an express service to Bedford as well as more rush-hour trips for Route 196 Basinview.
Transit staff suggested cutting two express routes to the Woodside Ferry, local Route 26 Springvale in Fairmount and Route 57 Portland Hills in Dartmouth due to low ridership.
The final budget will be passed in April.
