Bus to the beach? New Halifax report looks at options for transit service to Eastern Shore beaches

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNewsNova ScotiaHalifax Bus to the beach? New Halifax report looks at options for transit service to Eastern Shore beaches Parking and limited ways to access Rainbow Haven, Lawrencetown beaches have long been issues Author of the article: By Jen Taplin Published Aug 28, 2026 Last updated 1 hour ago 2 minute read Amanda Hancox lifts her granddaughter Meredith Swanson, 4, over some waves during a beautiful afternoon at Rainbow Haven Beach on Thursday. PHOTO BY RYAN TAPLIN /The Chronicle Herald Article content On a sunny, hot day — beach express anyone? Article content A recently released Halifax staff report details options for seasonal transit to Eastern Shore beaches, including Rainbow Haven, Lawrencetown and Conrad’s. The report was commissioned by the transportation committee in March 2025. Article content Article content As it is, someone hoping to escape the city at one of these beaches generally needs a vehicle and a hope of finding a parking space. Article content Article content Parked cars line the road leading up to Rainbow Haven Beach in this shot taken on Thursday. PHOTO BY RYAN TAPLIN /The Chronicle Herald Article content On a hot day, the lots are full at Rainbow Haven, and the only way to park is along the roadways, said Sonja Bellefontaine, who lives in nearby Cole Harbour. She said a transit route would be really helpful not only for her family but for low-income families she works with. Article content “Unless you can charter a bus, a lot of families have never been to the beach, and they live in Dartmouth,” she said on her way back to the car at Rainbow Haven on Thursday. Article content Mike and Sonja Bellefontaine from Cole Harbour talk about the possibility of bus service to Rainbow Haven beach as they head back to their car on Thursday. PHOTO BY RYAN TAPLIN /The Chronicle Herald Article content Even tourists would get on board. Article content “Yeah, as a tourist from Ontario here in Halifax, it would definitely make planning easier and provide greater accessibility to a beautiful beach,” said Jesse Clapperton from Sudbury, Ont., as he made his way to the beach Thursday. Article content The report’s author, Nick Cuthbertson, a project manager with Halifax Transit, detailed three main options for providing seasonal transit to the beaches — all with downsides and price tags…