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Rapid Transit Strategy

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Phase One - Mill Cove Ferry Service

The province and federal government are partnering with the municipality to undertake the first phase of the Mill Cove Ferry Service. This route is one of the key components of the Rapid Transit Strategy, unanimously approved by Regional Council in May, 2020. Staff are endeavoring to secure funding for the proposed Bus Rapid Transit system.

Phase One includes a vessel technology study, concept design work at Halifax Ferry Terminal, site access, site design and terminal concept design at Mill Cove, service calibration studies, and climate assessments.


Rapid Transit Strategy

Halifax Regional Municipality has developed a strategy to establish a Rapid Transit Network. Rapid Transit means public transit that is more reliable and attractive. The aim is to get you where you want to go, when you want to go, faster and more frequently – seven days a week.

Rapid Transit can be a key part of the municipality's shift to a more sustainable transportation system. Investing in Rapid Transit can help households reduce their transportation costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to preserve our environment and meet the municipality’s ambitious goals for climate change mitigation.


The Rapid Transit Strategy includes a network of four BRT lines and three new ferry routes, which will promote the creation of more compact and walkable communities and increase mobility options alternative to private vehicles.

Four BRT lines

The BRT lines will operate every ten minutes and will be within walking distance of approximately 120,000 residents, helping in the creation of complete communities by orienting land use towards transit and reducing the need to invest in road expansions. In turn, complete communities contribute to improved public health from higher rates of walking, rolling, and cycling in conjunction with transit use.

Three new ferry routes

The three new proposed ferry routes will provide direct connections between downtown Halifax and new terminals at Mill Cove, Larry Uteck and Shannon Park. These routes would provide reliable service with travel times to downtown Halifax likely faster than travel by private vehicle or bus. The routes are anticipated to use multi-hull catamaran vessels with a 150-passenger capacity and a single deck, capable of operating at higher speeds while minimizing wake effects.


Learn more

Want to know more about the Rapid Transit Strategy? We encourage you to:



Phase One - Mill Cove Ferry Service

The province and federal government are partnering with the municipality to undertake the first phase of the Mill Cove Ferry Service. This route is one of the key components of the Rapid Transit Strategy, unanimously approved by Regional Council in May, 2020. Staff are endeavoring to secure funding for the proposed Bus Rapid Transit system.

Phase One includes a vessel technology study, concept design work at Halifax Ferry Terminal, site access, site design and terminal concept design at Mill Cove, service calibration studies, and climate assessments.


Rapid Transit Strategy

Halifax Regional Municipality has developed a strategy to establish a Rapid Transit Network. Rapid Transit means public transit that is more reliable and attractive. The aim is to get you where you want to go, when you want to go, faster and more frequently – seven days a week.

Rapid Transit can be a key part of the municipality's shift to a more sustainable transportation system. Investing in Rapid Transit can help households reduce their transportation costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to preserve our environment and meet the municipality’s ambitious goals for climate change mitigation.


The Rapid Transit Strategy includes a network of four BRT lines and three new ferry routes, which will promote the creation of more compact and walkable communities and increase mobility options alternative to private vehicles.

Four BRT lines

The BRT lines will operate every ten minutes and will be within walking distance of approximately 120,000 residents, helping in the creation of complete communities by orienting land use towards transit and reducing the need to invest in road expansions. In turn, complete communities contribute to improved public health from higher rates of walking, rolling, and cycling in conjunction with transit use.

Three new ferry routes

The three new proposed ferry routes will provide direct connections between downtown Halifax and new terminals at Mill Cove, Larry Uteck and Shannon Park. These routes would provide reliable service with travel times to downtown Halifax likely faster than travel by private vehicle or bus. The routes are anticipated to use multi-hull catamaran vessels with a 150-passenger capacity and a single deck, capable of operating at higher speeds while minimizing wake effects.


Learn more

Want to know more about the Rapid Transit Strategy? We encourage you to: