Halifax conference shows transit issues run nationwide
Working towards a common goal has its benefit, as a Halifax conference demonstrated Monday.
“There is a lot of scalability and the lessons learned in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver definitely apply to midsize systems like here in Halifax,” says Jon MacMull, a spokesperson for the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA).
CUTA is hosting its 2024 spring summit and annual general meeting in Halifax.
Issues around staffing and operator safety are top of mind for many in attendance as is the switch to an all-electric fleet.
“The electrification part is really interesting because the different systems are all at different stages so we’re kind of in the middle,” says Dave Reage, executive director of Halifax Transit.
Reage admits larger cities are further along in modernizing their equipment but that provides a template for his department to follow.
“Buying the buses (is) actually the easy part and then we have to design the infrastructure in the garage to charge them and the big thing is trying to figure out how do we actually put them into operation, how do you make it reliable,” Reage says.
“There is growing demand for a transit as our country's population continues to grow,” adds Edmonton city councillor Andrew Knack.
Knack says ridership there has never been higher and the key has been in scheduling.
“Most cities have shifted more towards running more frequent buses than trying to get to every single corner, every single part of the city. That has typically driven up ridership across the country,” he says.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Tanks reach Rafah's centre as Israel presses assault despite global scrutiny
Israeli tanks reached the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground operation in the southern Gaza city that has sparked global condemnation.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Arm of mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff: Mexican government
Mexico's federal archaeology agency on Monday accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country’s famous mummified 19th century bodies.
Five of Ontario's top 10 worst roads are located in the Toronto area
A new pothole-riddled street in Hamilton has taken the top spot for the worst road in Ontario, according to a new list released by the Canadian Automotive Association (CAA) on Tuesday.
DEVELOPING In Trump's hush money trial, prosecutors and defence lawyers are poised to make final pitch to jury
Prosecutors and defence lawyers in Donald Trump's hush money trial are set to deliver closing arguments to the jury Tuesday, each side looking to score final points with the panel before it starts deliberating the fate of the first former American president to be charged with felony crimes.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.