Hill Testing, Hydrogen, and Electric Ferries: Halifax Transit’s Green Innovations with Dave Reage

05-06-2024 • 25 mins

While in Halifax, Canada filming Transit Unplugged TV, Paul sat down with Dave Reage, Executive Director of Halifax Transit and First Vice Chair of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) to talk about his transit system, testing their new electric buses, and building new ferry terminals for an electric ferry fleet (a first in Canada). Dave shares insights into Halifax's rapid growth, his background, and the challenges and innovations facing the industry in Canada. Dave talks about how critical CUTA is in molding future leaders. Before heading over to Dartmouth on the ferry for some seafood, Dave shows Paul around the future Mill Cove Ferry Terminal and talks about their new electric ferries. Dave details plans for a bus rapid transit network and the adoption of new fare technologies like open payment systems.

"I've been telling my team to keep in mind, the last time we had a transition this significant, we were actually going from trolley buses to diesel buses, so it's all kind of coming full circle now. And the testing piece is so crucial because we need to learn everything we can and make sure we know how it's going to work, make sure it's going to work, before we ever put it out into public service. Although the bus itself is very similar to the untrained eye, so many systems are different, new, modern. From safety to reliability, we need to make sure we've tested everything out very thoroughly and we're comfortable with." - Dave Reage

Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com

Host: Paul Comfort
Producer: Paul Comfort
Editor and Writer: Tris Hussey
Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Special thanks to:

Brand design: Tina Olagundoye
Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova
Marketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey

If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.

00:00 Introduction by Paul Comfort

03:19 Welcome to the show

03:31 Overview of Halifax Transit

04:03 Electric and Alternative Fuel Buses

06:25 Funding and Structure of Halifax Transit

09:58 Ferry System Expansion

17:49 CUTA and career development

21:24 What's coming up for Halifax Transit

22:43 Bus Manufacturing Issues

24:08 Coming Up Next Week on Transit Unplugged

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising...