[Image-1] One of the greatest misconceptions about the various types of dedicated bicycle infrastructure is that they only serve a minority of the population—that they’re pet projects for bicyclists. The reality is that whether you’re left or right leaning, urban or suburban, rich or poor, bikes are simply one of the most accessible and efficient […]
Transit
Posted inNews + Opinion
Why isn’t this city more pedestrian-friendly?
[Image-1] When Halifax police released their latest annual report on pedestrian and vehicle collisions last month, the headlines focused on one number: the 55 percent jump in accidents since last year. Whether or not you consider that 55 percent increase a frightening trend, or simply attribute it to more reports being made by frightened pedestrians, […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Which irritating bridge shuttle should you take for the next year?
[Image-1] Once again we thank the Big Lift for its upcoming 18-month-long disruption of our lives. Starting next week, Halifax Transit won’t travel across the Macdonald Bridge after 6:30pm (from Sunday through Thursday). To compensate, HT will run a special shuttle service between Halifax and Dartmouth five nights a week. Which is confusing, since Halifax […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Become an expert on the new bus plan
Halifax Transit is talking about some big changes to the bus system, and they want to know what you think. But you definitely don’t want to read a thick report about it, so we made this video summary for you. Yeah, you. Because for once you deserve to have something about Metro’s buses be useful […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Here’s your new transit network (probably)
[Image-1] Every route in the existing Halifax Transit network is changing. Whether that helps or hinders individual riders, remains to be seen. Today the transit authority unveiled its Moving Forward Together plan, which details the changes alongside a colourful new route map. The site unfortunately seems to be missing any sort of trip planner, which […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
I should not be limited because I am in a wheelchair
[Image-1] I am writing to express my frustration with the restrictive nature of the Access-A-Bus-service. This service is offered to persons with physical and intellectual disabilities who seek accessible transportation. My application for an extension for the Access-A-Bus service was initially denied on the grounds that I am “deemed able to utilize the conventional low-floor […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax Transit has a cost problem
[Image-1] Halifax Transit has a cost problem. Costs have increased dramatically, but ridership has not. Service hours went up 19 percent since 2007, but ridership grew just three percent. Between 2009 and 2012, the cost to transport one rider increased from $3.04 to $4.03. This month, Halifax Transit will release a draft of the new […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Transit services fall short on accessibility
[Image-1] On a blistering winter evening at the Halifax Shopping Centre, wheelchair user Gerry Post makes his way to a bus stop. It is snowing at 9pm during the Christmas bustle of shoppers—Post just wants to get home. When the bus arrives, all able-bodied passengers pile in. But the driver says he cannot let Post […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
What do you think needs to be fixed?
[Image-1] We reached out to public figures, community leaders and business owners to find out how they would fix the city. Some edited responses were printed in this week’s issue, but below are the full replies we received. “More use of our wonderful harbour. We should have extended hours on our downtown ferry, with more […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
No texting while driving is only the beginning in NS
A new Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruling says just holding a cell phone while driving is illegal.
Posted inNews + Opinion
The felon cyclist
[Image-1] I trace my lust for breaking rules on my bike to my elementary school principal. When I was nine or 10 my parents invited my school principal over for dinner. She showed up on her bike and she wasn’t wearing her helmet. My mom, half-joking, scorned her for it. She told my mom she […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Here’s the guy who keeps hitting pedestrians
[Image-1] The person running into pedestrians in Halifax is a male, in his forties, driving through rush-hour traffic near the end of his work week. He’ll probably hit a woman in a crosswalk who’s between the ages of 21 and 30. That’s averaging out the most recent figures from Halifax Regional Police on vehicle/pedestrian collisions, […]
