Public transportation will be on the agenda again Tuesday as Halifax city councillors review a report on the Moving Forward Together Plan — a plan to improve the region’s bus service.
READ MORE: Halifax Transit revamp to get another review before final decision
The plan aims to add and remove routes in an effort to make the bus system more appealing and efficient, but not everyone is clear about the proposed changes.
“My biggest frustration with it from the get go has been on the data side of it,” said Dartmouth Centre Councillor Sam Austin.
“I don’t feel like we’ve had good information about where people are actually going in the system, where they’re transferring to be making some of these decisions.”
“I think the main thing that council is struggling with on this is that we know it’s not the best plan — but is it enough that it advances transit forward in some key areas good enough for now?”
Advocates with the group It’s More than Buses are asking council to put a pause on the transit plan until an outside expert can examine what needs to be done to improve bus service.
“We spend $100 million every year on transit and I think council has a responsibility to make sure we’re getting the best bang for our buck in terms for the network that’s being provided,” said Jeff Blair.
READ MORE: Halifax seeks public input surrounding transportation priorities
Blair says the group would like to see more options for riders, and a connective network for buses in Halifax, meaning routes would travel at a higher frequency throughout the city.
“We have very much a single-seat service — and that’s where you’re going from a point to where you’re going, to where your destination is, on a single seat,” said Blair.
“That model of transit is good for some things, but if you’re going somewhere out of the downtown core for example, then the transit service we have won’t necessarily get you there in the most efficient way possible.”
Transit users say they want to see more buses on the roads and better bus schedules going forward.
“For someone who uses it all the time, I think that some of the major routes should have more bus times,” said Mary Sage.
“I’d like to see more huts and seating if it would be possible, so you can wait for the bus out of the rain,” said John Smith. “I’d like to see more buses closer together on the weekends.”
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