Business View Magazine | March 2020

145 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MARCH 2020 HAL I FAX TRANS I T As the five-year plan begins to wind down, Reage says, “We’ve had success on that plan beyond our expectations in terms of significant ridership increases. Last year, we finished up 4.8 percent in revenue ridership; boardings were up 14.8 percent; and this year we’re up 7 percent revenue ridership, and boardings are up 8.5 percent. So, after years of stagnant ridership, we’re seeing really significant increases. And the Moving Forward Together Plan is a big part of that, but it’s not the only part of it.” Another program that has helped make transit more accessible for more people is Halifax Transit’s partnership with the province’s Department of Community Services. “They now distribute annual transit passes to all of the residents who are on employment support and income assistance,” explains Patricia Hughes, Manager of Planning & Customer Engagement. “And not only to those residents, but also to their dependents and children. So, right now, we’re sitting at just over 10,000 annual transit passes