We have the inside look at how to get around, Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford. From metro systems to routes used mostly by locals, we can help you navigate this maritime community. Over 300,000 people live here and unlike most modern metropolitan areas today, this one was not planned to be this big. This produces are very interesting transit characteristic for the largest population hub east of Quebec.
HRM Transit Options
With most of the commercials aspects of the hrm based around the Port of Halifax, most people interact with the water of come close to it. There are 2 bridges spanning the harbor to help you navigate between Halifax and Dartmouth. Bedford is only accessible by private boat or road. By road, you can get to Bedford via Halifax or Dartmouth
When it comes to getting into the area, you can do that in one of many ways. With Halifax being a major shipping port in the maritimes, it offers, rail, airports, harbors, and highways to get you where you need to go.
If you aren’t interested in driving yourself, there are various paid options. You can use the Metro Transit service funded by the governement. Or you can use of the several taxi services throughout the region. A taxi ride from the airport to halifax is $50. The bus is $2.75 with the ability to collect a transfer ticket for free rides on connecting buses.
Roadways
The major highways that get you into the hrm would be, 101, 102, and the 103. These 3 major highways cross each other and help you to get in and out of all major economic areas in the HRM. From bedford, Halifax, and Dartmouth, you can then journey to any place in Nova Scotia. With 5,577 square kilometres of space defining the HRM, there are very few places, not accessible via road.
Waterways
The halifax harbor offers a transit option not seen in many cities and towns across the maritimes and the world. Here you can utlize the ferry service which uses 3 ports in the port of halifax. Taking you between downtown Halifax then major economic and parking centers in Dartmouth, this is a well used aspect of the local transit system.
With the Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot being close by, as well as its own, Yacht club and oceanographic institute, the Bedford basin is well known and used. Although you should never eat anything caught from these waters, you can often see people catch and release fishing in this area.
Metro Transit System
This small area houses 40% of Nova Scotia’s population, making it the second largest coastal population center in Canada. This harbor is used by the local navy, shipyards, container ships, and personal sailors. Not much recreational activity goes on here because of the pollution found within harbors of this size and purpose. In fact, the Halifax Harbour is on of the major Maritime Shipping Lanes.
With an over 90,000 daily ridership, the local transit authority provides a needed service to a large percentage or maritimers. With this many straphangers, they offer bus, ferry and access-a-bus service for the handicapped. With operation times between 5AM and 12PM, there is rarely a place or time you cannot get to your destination via this service.
Recently in 2012, there was a metro transit strike which crippled the local transit system. Locals resorted to walking, biking, and other means during the winter months. The resulting agreement between the bus driver’s unions and Metro Halifax, promises a 5 year guarantee of non strike service.
Halifax Airport
There are 2 airports in the HRM. One is a military airport just outside of Dartmouth where you can often catch airshows. The other is the Halifax Stanfield International Airport facilitating international flights and providing Canadians in the Maritimes with a gateway to the world. With over 3 million passengers and 84 thousand flights a year, this airport is the biggest in the region making it the 7th busiest transportation airport in canada. Since 2004, there has been massive improvements to the 2 runways and 31 available gates.
Conclusion on HRM Transit
There are several options for getting in and around the HRM. You can get here from anywhere in Canada or around the world via, rail, harbor, or airport. Once here, you have several options to help you navigate the major economic centers of the HRM. With a robust transit system and maintained infrastructure, there are few places in the HRM that you will have trouble reaching
3 thoughts on “HRM TransportationTransit de HRM”