**** HRM Media Release
Student Transit Pass Pilot Expands
——————————————————
All students in grades 7 to 12 at Halifax Regional Centre for Education and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial schools in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) can now receive a free transit pass with the expansion of the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program.
“Through the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program, we are making life more affordable for families,” said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “The program gives students the independence to travel to and from school, as well as explore and learn about their community. And it promotes sustainability by getting students familiar with the public transit system.”
The pilot program had been available to about 5,400 students at 10 schools. The expansion means more than 28,000 students at 59 schools can receive transit passes. They are valid on Halifax Transit buses and ferries from September 5, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and will be distributed through schools next week.
The Province, HRM, the Halifax Regional Centre for Education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial are working together to provide the expanded program. The program will cost $1.8 million for the 2024-25 school year, with the Province contributing $1.2 million.
Quotes:
“We welcome the extension of the student pass, which will create new opportunities for young people to become regular Halifax Transit users now and into the future.”
— Mike Savage, Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality
“Feedback from families about the Student Transit Pass Pilot Program has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its benefits for independence, financial savings and flexibility. We know families appreciate the program and will be happy to hear it’s expanding this school year.”
— Steve Gallagher, Regional Executive Director, Halifax Regional Centre for Education
“The expansion of the pilot program will allow our CSAP students to explore their communities, discover new opportunities and strengthen their connection to their environment. This program will provide them with the opportunity to take full advantage of the cultural, linguistic, Acadian and francophone richness of their community, whether through events or extracurricular activities.”
— Michel Collette, Executive Director, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
Quick Facts:
– the program began with four high schools in 2021 and six junior high schools were added in 2022
– HRM is contributing $600,000 to the expanded program
– the expansion aligns with the work of the Joint Regional Transportation Agency and is a direct response to feedback received during engagement to develop the regional transportation plan
Additional Resources:
Student Transit Pass Pilot Program website: https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/transit-programs-services/student-pass-pilot-program
Halifax Transit: https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit
Halifax Regional Centre for Education: https://www.hrce.ca/
Conseil scolaire acadien provincial: https://csap.ca/
Joint Regional Transportation Agency: https://jrta.ca/
