The unfareness of transit fares

Good morning my friends,

I’m going to talk about something deeply troubling this morning, so if you’re not in the mood, please take care of yourself and skip it ❤️

That said, here are some words that I never believed I would type in this order: A convicted child rapist is sad that people booed him at the Olympics.

There is so much packed into that sentence that I’m not even sure where to begin, but I guess my first question is—what was a convicted child rapist even doing at the Olympics in the first place? 

The Netherlands’ Steven van de Velde—a beach volleyball player—pled guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl that he met online in 2016. And because everybody is not insane, the crowds booed him every single time he touched the ball—which—obviously. But now he’s breaking his silence, saying that the negative attention “was annoying” and “a shame.” He also said that all the jeering had an impact on his ability to play. 

You know what should have had an impact on your ability to play? Being a rapist.

For its part, the International Olympic Committee said it was powerless to stop the Dutch Olympic team from sending an athlete who qualified in the usual way. So just so we’re clear…smoke pot a la Sha’Carri Richardson in 2021? No Olympics for you! But THIS? This is totally fine.

Cool. Cool, cool.

Please have a sane and restful weekend out there. We all deserve it.

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 24°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 24°

Next Day: ☁️ 22°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

💨 Here is Halifax’s Air Quality Index and the smoke report.

NEWS + OPINION

The unfareness of raising Halifax Transit fees

The city of Halifax takes fiscal responsibility seriously, but only when it wants to punish people for doing the right thing. This is why bus fares are going up 9.1% to $3 as of September 1, 2024. For those who may need the refresher, this 25-cent fare increase has been in the works since last (fiscal) year’s budget season in early 2024. During a February budget meeting, head of Halifax Transit Dave Reage told councillors that running his department was costing more money, so they needed to bring in more revenue.

At the time (and whenever this comes up) councillor Tim Outhit pointed out that raising fares on transit is like punishing people three times for taking the bus. He also always points out that the city has many plans—like the Integrated Mobility Plan, the Moving Forward Together Plan and HalifACT—which all say some variation of “Halifax wants more people riding the bus.” But even though the city says these things, instead of making bus rides more attractive by getting rid of fares, it charges people three times over for the privilege of getting on a bus. Transit is paid for out of the general rate (meaning everyone who pays property taxes pays for transit), and it’s paid for by a special tax rate that people who live within 1km of a bus stop have to pay, and it’s also paid for by transit fares. 

One of the reasons the city charges so much for transit is that Halifax Transit costs a lot of money to run and having a good transit system is important to the long-term success of the city. Therefore Transit must be well funded. This makes sense. What does not make sense is why Halifax Transit is the only mode of transportation that gets this type of fiscal scrutiny in a city that claims to care about fiscal responsibility and risk management.

The Coast’s Matt Stickland has more on why it might be time for council to start making drivers pay their fare share.

🤔 Need To Know

⛈️ The latest track of Hurricane Ernesto has the massive storm passing south of Nova Scotia as it makes it way over the Atlantic Ocean—forecasters are closely watching the progression of the 5th named storm of this year’s hurricane season.

🌁 The Macdonald Bridge is set to close to vehicle traffic today at 7pm and will reopen Sunday at 5:30am. 

🏊‍♀️ Kidston Beach in Halifax and Albro Lake Beach in Dartmouth have been tested with high bacteria levels in the water and residents are advised to avoid swimming at these areas.

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🗞️ In Other News

🏫 With a new school year right around the corner, the union representing school support workers is demanding the province do more to protect its 5,000 members heading back into the classroom.

🚒 New information has revealed that Skyler Blackie—a firefighter who was killed in training—informed his instructor the expired fire extinguisher he was using had rust on it, but was told to use it anyway.

💙 The mother of a boy who died during flash flooding in 2023 is suing the province for negligence. It’s the latest instance of a citizen trying to hold government accountable for alleged failures during a climate disaster.

✈️ The labour union representing Air Canada pilots has confirmed they are currently in the process of a strike vote and could be in position to walk off the job by mid-September.

⚖️ A man from Voglers Cove has been sentenced to four years in prison for raping a 13-year-old girl more than four decades ago.

🛶 The Banook Canoe Club in Dartmouth will make upgrades to reduce its carbon footprint with the help of funding from the provincial government—the club will receive $332,500 from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund.

🏛️ A local professor who studies workers’ rights says she isn’t surprised by a recent international report that called Canada’s foreign worker program a “breeding ground” for modern slavery.

🛩️ A fire at a small airport in Hants County has destroyed two aircraft and two hangars according to the facility's general manager.

😿 The Nova Scotia SPCA is seeking the public's help after it says three kittens were found in a mail-drop bin outside 76 Regency Park Drive in Halifax earlier this week.

🏢 The tenancy board has dismissed a 92-year-old woman’s claim asking for help with a leaky ceiling in her building’s hallway—the decision says the tenancy board cannot order repairs to common areas.

🏠 Ward 5 Neighbourhood Centre opened more than 50 years ago, but the building that houses the organization is being torn down—the centre is asking for help with relocation.

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🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Halifax County Exhibition: You'll be in awe of the majestic draft horses competing in the show ring, light horses racing barrels and oxen in full regalia. This is one of the biggest dairy cow shows east of Montreal, and fastest-growing beef cattle shows. There are also amusement rides, free entertainment, fun contests for people of all ages, loads of food and vendors, a bingo hall, a beer hall and more! | Aug 14-17 | $9

🗓 Matt Mays with special guest Zeus: Dartmouth’s own indie-rock superstar is hitting Hubbards hard with five nights of shows at The Shore Club. | Aug 14-18 | 9:00pm | $65.54

🗓 Salsa and Bachata Festival: Bring your dancing shoes for Atlantic Canada's premier Afro-Latin dance celebration. This year's highlight features international guest artist Ricky Campanelli, a celebrated maestro of Latin music, headlining the Salsa Gala with his 11-piece Orquesta, featuring musicians from Montreal and Halifax. Enjoy a vibrant mix of free and paid events, including performances by some of Halifax's hottest DJs and Latin bands, art exhibitions, dance competitions, and social dance events. | Aug 15-18

🗓 Rock the Harbour—Nova Scotia's Classic Rock Festival: Experience Classic Canadian Rock icons performing the hits you've loved for decades on the Alderney Landing Events Plaza stage. | Aug 16-18 | Day pass $70

🗓 It Don't Mean a Thing—A Roaring ‘20s Musical Dinner Theatre: Calling all dames, dolls and gangsters! It’s the Roaring ‘20s and everyone is on edge. Lucky Knuckles, the greatest crime boss Halifax has never seen, is going to make an appearance at The Kit Kat Club and word is he’s none too happy. Come hear some of your favourite modern hits performed in the swinging style of Gatsby’s Golden Era and Charleston your way through Prohibition! | Aug 9-Oct 19 | $65.55

🗓 World's Largest Ice Bucket Challenge Presented by ALS Society: Ten years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge made waves across Canada, significantly boosting recognition and vital funds for ALS Societies. Now  join in at the Tall Ships Quay on the Halifax Waterfront to recreate that impact at the World's Largest Ice Bucket Challenge. This family-friendly experience invites participants of all ages to join in the fun and community spirit. Stay tuned, stay engaged and be part of this historic moment. | Aug 17 | 11am

🗓 Eastern Shore Pride Festival: Come celebrate with a community of leaders and allies who work together to foster, encourage and model diversity, equity and inclusion on the Eastern Shore. The festival includes drag shows,  markets, yoga, music and much more. | Aug 17-25  

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🛳️ The CSL Tacoma arrives in Halifax from Savannah at 2:21am.

🛳️ The CMA CGM Symi arrives in Halifax from Singapore at 3:15pm.

➡️ The John J. Carrick barge leaves Halifax for Montreal at 4pm.

➡️ The Leo C. McArthur barge leaves Halifax for Montreal at 4pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for Argentia at 4:30pm.

🛳️➡️ The MSC MIA Summer II container ship arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 6:15am and leaves for London at 5pm.

🛳️➡️ The EF Ava container ship arrives in Halifax from Portland at 6:15am and leaves for Argentia at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍁 The Maple Bacon Fried Chicken Sandwich from Wave Foods is both patriotic and delicious: buttermilk fried chicken cutlet dipped in maple syrup, bacon, lettuce, pickle and spicy ranch on a brioche bun.

🍕 Spicy pizza feature! The Summeroni at Morris East is available all of August: spicy soppressata, pepperoni, house-made honey-pickled jalapenos, double mozzarella.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏛️ It’s no secret that Canadian governmental bureaucracies are mind-numbingly complex. It’s one of the big reasons that politicians are having a lot of success taking political potshots at all three levels of Canadian public service. The Conservative Party of Canada has put out press releases saying that it will build homes by cutting bureaucracy. But while this line of thinking makes common sense, it’s worth wondering if it happens to be true. The Coast’s Matt Stickland dives into the argument for more red tape and how that would benefit council.

🏀 The annual Peace Basketball Tournament is back for its sixth year with 20 teams competing on courts across Halifax over Aug. 22-25 and this year, at least 4 players will be awarded scholarships. A board member describes the tournament as “a social platform that we built to give our people a place to start coming back together.” The Coast’s Lauren Phillips has more on this year’s edition of the tournament and the scholarships that will be awarded.

🏆 A Nova Scotia man has been given an award for his selfless actions during a tragedy earlier this year when he witnessed a car accident and sprang into action to provide first aid.

🥬 The Prescott Street Community Garden established roots in Halifax's North End about 20 years ago, but now its members are relocating and rebuilding.

That’s it!

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