N.S. Liberals say they would make transit free if elected

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The Nova Scotia Liberal Party says if elected, no one in the province would have to pay a fare to use transit.

Leader Zach Churchill made the announcement on Tuesday morning at the Portland Hills transit terminal.

“Imagine being able to just jump on the bus, get your kids to daycare, get to work or the grocery store without having to worry about passes, tickets or fumbling for change,” he said.

The Liberals say the plan would come with an investment of $65.6 million. Of that funding, $53.6 million would go to municipalities and transit agencies as per-ride subsidies to offset costs. That amount also accounts for an anticipated 20 per cent increase in ridership if transit was to be made free.

“To execute this plan, we will work with our municipal partners and will leverage the Federal Government’s $3 billion Canada Public Transit Fund,” the party said in a news release.

The party says in Halifax, an adult who buys a monthly transit pass would save $1,080 every year, and a senior would save $792.

Nova Scotians are expected to go to the polls on July 15, 2025, although the premier has said he doesn’t feel beholden to his own fixed-election date legislation.

All three major political parties in Nova Scotia have already been announcing candidates in ridings across the province.