Halifax Transit reveals 'unprecedented overhaul' of bus system

Halifax Transit is considering ending the venerable Route 80 and several other major routes as part of an "unprecedented overhaul" of the bus service.

The service posted its draft Moving Forward Together Plan online Tuesday.

Route 80, which currently services Bedford and Lower Sackville, would cease to exist under the new plan. It would be replaced by the 8 Sackville and the 28 Bayers, depending on which part of the route you use.

The new Route 8would not serve Bayers Road, Robie Street or Spring Garden Road.

• New Route 8 Sackville

Route 1 Spring Garden would keep that name, but would stop serving Bayers Road and a portion of Oxford Street north ofChebucto Road. It would also travel on Gottingen Street in both directions, rather than on Barrington Street for one direction.

• New Route 1 Spring Garden

The 59 Colby would stop, replaced by a new 5 Portland service. The new route would be similar to the 59, 61 and 68. It would serve Spring Garden Road only at rush hour and not extend east of the Portland Hills Terminal, meaning it wouldn't serve North Preston, Colby or Cherry Brook.

• New Route 5 Portland

Clayton Park's 2 Wedgewood would stop, replaced by several routes: the 2 Main, 34 Parkland and 134 Parkland Link.

The new 2 Main would be similar to the old 2 and 4, connecting Lacewood to the ferry terminal, but not serving Dunbrack Street, Radcliffe Drive, Wedgewood Avenue, Parkland Drive, Farnham Gate Road, Ross Street or Rosedale Avenue.

• New Route 2 Main

The frequency of service is also changing for many routes.

EddieRobar, the director of Halifax Transit, said the changes willmake the system simpler, smarter and more efficient.

"We're embarking on an unprecedented overhaul to our transit system," he said.

"I encourage everyone, whether they currently ride a bus or ferry or even if they don't, to have a look at this new plan, tell us what they think, and help us make transit better."

Halifax Transit created the plan after holding public forums in 2013 and talking to community groups and councillors.

Robar saidthe focus of the plan is to make it easier for Halifax Transit users to get where they're going by:

• Investing in the most popular routes.
• Offering faster commutes during rush hour.
• Making transfers easier to use.
• Introducing new routes where they are needed.
• Retiring or redesigning inefficient and underused routes.

Residents can go online to share their thoughts.