Halifax Transit says a new regulation is needed as security incidents increase

Halifax Transit is backing a proposal for a regulation that would establish guidelines for safety and security in the wake of an increase in incidents involving drivers and transit users.

An employee report provided to Halifax Regional Councilors said Halifax has no ordinance for public transportation.

In a recent presentation to the board, Philip Herritt, the director of transit operations for Halifax Transit, said incidents increased 107 percent from 2018 to 2022.

Herritt said there have been 1,500 incidents so far this year involving disruptive passengers, fare disputes, drunk passengers and road rage.

He said the authority expects this number to exceed 2,600 by the end of the year.

Herritt presented a map to the council showing that most reported incidents occurred at the bridge terminal at Dartmouth, Mumford terminal, Lacewood terminal and Scotia Square.

“Addressing these focus areas and current gaps will be critical to ensuring the utmost safety and the proposed regulation is part of the overall planning program to create a stronger customer service and safety-focused environment,” Herritt told the local authority.

The staff report said the lack of regulation prevents the transit authority from responding “adequately and in a timely manner” to issues.

Penalties and prohibitions

According to the report, the provincial Property protection law only applies to transit areas and not to vehicles.

“This currently results in banned passengers boarding transit vehicles to repeat the same violent behavior,” the report said.

“Similarly, there is currently no regulation to impose time restrictions on passengers using transit facilities as shelters, allowing them to stay in transit terminals for extended periods of time.”

The proposed regulation allows the imposition of fines and prohibitions on the use of transit for up to six months. It includes an appeals procedure.

Although Halifax Transit ferries are under federal jurisdiction, Herritt told the council that the authority can bar people from the ferry terminals under provincial law.

Herritt said if the council passes the bylaws, the authority would hire four service supervisors for different locations within the system. He said they would be available to answer questions from the public and provide transportation support.

Councilors unanimously approved the proposed ordinance. It must now pass a second reading before it can be approved.