Published October 16, 2023 at 5:18 PM ET
Halifax Ferry Terminal photo, October 16, 2023 (CTV/Jonathan MacInnis)
Public transportation in Halifax is becoming a necessity for many people in the city.
“We’re always in the car because we can’t afford a car these days,” says Sherry Jennings.
Currently, people who take buses or ferries have to buy a pass or spend loose change to ride, both of which can be inconvenient.
“You have to go to the specific places that sell them, like pharmacies, drug stores, places where you buy tickets, scratch-off tickets, lottery tickets,” Jennings says.
“If you could tap with a card like a debit card. If you could walk in, tap the bus and keep going, the bus wouldn’t be stuck for long, you wouldn’t have to search for change in your pocket, it would make your life easier. It will be much easier.”
That plan will eventually come true. The city today announced its long-awaited mobile fare payment app, HFXGO.
“Finally, we have a proper app,” says HRM Councilor Tony Mancini.
Mancini said HFXGO will be released in stages. Pay-as-you-go options won’t be available until spring.
“This vendor is a large-scale transportation system vendor in Europe and the UK, and has extensive experience in that area.As such, we have taken their guidance and are the first to implement this immediate action. We will,” Mancini said.
“It would be nice if we could just tap it right now and go right away, but this is a process right in front of our eyes, and it’s definitely an improvement over tickets.”
“I come from a big city, where we have cards and use them as contactless payments on buses and subways,” added Leticia Reis, a university student in São Paulo, Brazil.
“City officials say the new app will eliminate the need for paper transfers. Once your ticket is activated, you can use it for transportation and it will be valid for two and a half hours.”
Mancini hopes more people will ride as transit becomes more accessible.
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