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Getting Around
Free and reduced transit options.
No car? You still have options.
Getting around Nova Scotia without a car is possible. This page covers free and low-cost transit options, how to get a reduced-fare pass, and how to get to medical appointments without paying full price.
Halifax Transit Low Income Pass — $27.50/month
The regular monthly pass costs $82.50. The Low Income Transit Pass (LITP) is roughly one-third of that.
Who qualifies
- NS Income Assistance recipients
- NS Disability Support Program recipients
- Working Income Tax Benefit recipients
- People earning under the low-income threshold for HRM
How to apply
- Online: halifax.ca/transit/fares-passes/low-income-transit-pass
- In person: Halifax Transit Customer Service, 200 Ilsley Ave, Dartmouth — 902-490-4000
- Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm
- Bring proof of eligibility: an income assistance letter, WITB notice of assessment, or a letter from a caseworker
- Renews monthly — you reapply each month at the same location
- If you’re on income assistance, your caseworker can help you apply — ask them directly
Metro Transit Access — door-to-door service
- For people with disabilities that prevent using regular transit
- Free registration, subsidised fare
- Eligibility: functional disability assessment required
- Apply: halifax.ca/transit/routes-schedules/transit-access
- Phone: 902-490-6681
- Book trips 1–4 days in advance
- If you’re unsure if you qualify, call and ask — they can walk you through the assessment process
Free and low-cost ways to get to medical appointments
NS Health Patient Transport (rural NS)
- If you live in a rural area and need to travel for medical care, NS Health may cover transport costs
- Ask your doctor or specialist to submit a patient transport request
- Call 811 (NS HealthLink) to ask about eligibility for your region
- Each NS Health zone handles this differently — 811 will connect you to the right person
Volunteer driver programs
Many community health boards run volunteer driver programs for medical appointments — free for the patient.
South Shore — South Shore Community Services
Annapolis Valley — Kings Volunteer Resource Centre
Pictou County
Cape Breton — Cape Breton Family Place
Halifax area
Canadian Cancer Society Road to Recovery
- Free rides to cancer treatment appointments anywhere in NS
- Call: 1-888-939-3333
- Available province-wide, volunteer drivers
Dialysis transport
- NS Health covers transport to dialysis for eligible patients
- Ask your dialysis care team or call 811
Cape Breton Transit
- Serves Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, North Sydney, and surrounding areas
- Adult fare: $2.50 per ride
- Monthly pass: $63
- Low income pass: contact Cape Breton Transit directly — 902-539-8124
- Routes and schedules: cbrm.ns.ca/transit
Outside Halifax and Cape Breton
Rural transit in Nova Scotia is limited. Here’s what exists:
Transit NS — provincial rural transit program
Connecting smaller communities. Not available everywhere — check the website for your area. Typical fare $3–5 per trip.
Kings Transit — Annapolis Valley
Serves Kentville, Wolfville, Windsor, Bridgetown area. Adult fare $2 per ride.
Trius Transportation — Truro / Amherst area
Intercity routes connecting Truro, Amherst, New Glasgow, Antigonish.
Community shuttles
Many areas have informal community shuttles that aren’t publicly listed.
If you need to get somewhere and nothing on this list covers your area, call 2-1-1. They know about informal and community transport options that aren’t publicly listed.
If you have no money for transit right now
If you genuinely cannot afford a fare right now:
- Many Halifax Transit drivers will let you on if you explain your situation — this is not guaranteed but does happen
- Ask your shelter worker — many shelters keep bus tickets on hand for residents who need them
- Brunswick Street Mission and Souls Harbour sometimes have bus passes available — ask at the drop-in
- Call 2-1-1 — they sometimes know of emergency transit funds not publicly listed
Frequently asked
I’m on income assistance. Do I automatically get the low income transit pass?
Not automatically — you need to apply. But your income assistance letter is all the proof you need. Bring it to 200 Ilsley Ave, Dartmouth or ask your caseworker to help you apply.
I don’t have a fixed address. Can I still get a transit pass?
Yes. The LITP application doesn’t require a fixed address — a shelter address works. Bring your eligibility letter and a shelter confirmation letter if asked. See the ID & Docs page for how to get a shelter letter.
I need to get to a doctor outside my city. Who covers that?
Call 811 first — they’ll tell you if NS Health covers transport for your specific appointment. If not, ask your doctor to submit a patient transport request. The Canadian Cancer Society covers cancer appointments anywhere in NS for free.
Is there transit between cities in NS?
Yes — Trius Tours runs between Truro, Amherst, New Glasgow, and Antigonish. Maritime Bus connects Halifax to other Maritime provinces. Fares vary — check maritimebus.com or call 2-1-1 for current schedules and any subsidised fare programs.