(Wednesday, March 14, 2012) Halifax, NS — Metro Transit will begin reintroducing bus and ferry services over the next few days following Halifax Regional Council’s ratification of a new five-year Collective Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 508, representing over 750 bus operators, fleet mechanics, ferry crew and other transit workers.
"We believe this is a deal that is affordable for taxpayers and lays the groundwork for a sustainable, efficient transit system," said Mayor Kelly. "Our main priority now is to get buses and ferries back in operation for our residents as soon as possible."
Harbour ferry service will resume regular service on Thursday, March 15, with all bus services to begin rolling again on Friday, March 16. Access-A-Bus, which was previously scheduled to begin on Monday, March 19, will also now begin on Friday, March 16, as Metro Transit staff work hard to get all services back to normal. Previously scheduled medical and dialysis appointments as of 5:00 pm, March 13, will continue to be provided, with reservation requests for all types of Access-A-Bus service trips to begin at 9:00 am, Thursday, March 15. Access-A-Bus users are advised that call volumes may be higher than normal.
As part of the agreement, Regional Council also approved a recommendation to provide free public transit from the first day back in service through to Saturday, March 31, 2012, and to allow Metro Transit customers who still hold a February 2012 transit pass to use it for transit services during the month of April 2012.
"The last six weeks have been extremely difficult with many residents having to make great sacrifices through no fault of their own," said Metro Transit Director Eddie Robar. "This is the least we can do to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during the strike."
Robar also acknowledged the hardships endured by ATU employees over the course of the strike. "We ask that our customers extend a kind and respectful welcome to our Operators, who are back doing what they do best; providing great service to HRM citizens."
HRM will still provide refunds up to Friday, March 30 for anyone who purchased a February 2012 transit pass and were unable to use them due to the ongoing transit strike. Visit www.halifax.ca/metrotransit for more information on redeeming February passes.
Flexibility for parking at bus stops and taxi zone restrictions permitted during the transit strike will be discontinued now that the strike has ended. Bus stops in downtown Halifax business districts where parking had been allowed will revert to no parking zones as of midnight tonight in preparation for Metro Transit’s return to service on Friday. All marked bus stops are considered no parking zones. Motorists in violation will be ticketed.
More information on the timing of HRM’s return to full transit service and other customer updates is available through www.halifax.ca/metrotransit; Twitter @hfxtransit; Transit Retail Outlets; and, the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000.
Metro Transit is the primary transportation service provider in HRM and the largest public transit system in Atlantic Canada comprised of over 300 buses and three ferries. In addition to its conventional fixed route service, with 61 routes including the premium MetroLink and MetroX services, it operates three Community Transit routes, the harbour ferry service and the door-to-door Access-A-Bus service for persons with disabilities.
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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
Lori Patterson
HRM Corporate Communications
490-6609
476-5975 (Cell)
