Dartmouth Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is served by Halifax Transit buses and the Alderney and Woodside ferry services. Major connections include Bridge Terminal, Alderney Landing, Mic Mac Mall, Dartmouth Crossing, Portland Hills, Cole Harbour, Woodside, Burnside and Downtown Halifax.
For a current Dartmouth bus schedule, open Halifax Transit’s official routes and schedules, choose your route number and direction, then check the departure at your actual stop. The regular adult bus or ferry fare is CAD $3.00, and the HFXGO app supports mobile tickets and passes.
Below you will find useful 2026 route numbers, real timetable examples, terminal information, fares, transfer rules, ferry departures, airport connections and step-by-step instructions for finding your next bus.
Where Can You Find Dartmouth Bus Times?
The official Halifax Transit routes and schedules page provides route maps, stop information and timetables for Dartmouth and surrounding communities.
Fastest method: choose the route, select its direction, find your stop number and use the Halifax Transit departure information to check the next bus.
Dartmouth Transit Guide
Dartmouth Bus Routes and Main Destinations
Dartmouth has local neighbourhood buses, high-use corridor services and express routes. The best bus depends on whether you are travelling to Downtown Halifax, Dartmouth Crossing, a ferry terminal, a shopping centre or a residential neighbourhood.
| Route | Name / corridor | Main use | Service pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spring Garden | Bridge Terminal and Halifax connections | Weekday and weekend |
| 3 | CrossTown | Burnside, Bridge Terminal, Mumford and Lacewood | Weekday and weekend |
| 5 | Portland | Portland Hills, Penhorn, Alderney Gate, Bridge Terminal, Halifax | Weekday and weekend |
| 6A | Woodside | Woodside Ferry, Dartmouth General Hospital, Bridge Terminal | Weekdays |
| 6B / 6C | Eastern Passage / Heritage Hills | Eastern Passage, Woodside and Bridge Terminal | Check branch and day |
| 10A / 10B / 10C | Dalhousie / Bridge / Micmac / Westphal | Dartmouth–Halifax and Micmac-area connections | Branch-specific |
| 53–55 | Notting Park / Montebello / Port Wallace | Northern and eastern Dartmouth neighbourhoods | Varies by route |
| 56 | Dartmouth Crossing | Bridge Terminal, Micmac Terminal, Dartmouth Crossing, Wrights Cove | Weekday, Saturday, Sunday |
| 58 / 59 | Woodlawn / Colby | Woodlawn, Cole Harbour and adjoining neighbourhoods | Weekday and weekend patterns |
| 61–68 | North Preston, Grahams Grove, Mount Edward, Caldwell, Baker, Cherry Brook | Local neighbourhood connections | Varies by route |
| 72 | Portland Hills | Portland Hills, Micmac, Highfield, Dartmouth Crossing | Weekday, Saturday, Sunday |
| 87 | Sackville–Dartmouth | Sackville, Cobequid, Bedford Highway, Highfield and Bridge Terminal | Weekday, Saturday, Sunday |
| 158 / 159 / 161 / 165 / 168 | Dartmouth-area express routes | Peak-period commuter travel toward Halifax | Primarily weekday |
| 320 | Airport–Fall River Regional Express | Bridge Terminal, Halifax Airport, Fall River and Downtown Halifax | Daily; premium regional fare |
How to Choose the Right Route
For the complete route map and current timetables, use Halifax Transit’s official route directory.
Dartmouth Bus Departure Times: Routes 56, 5 and 87
Instead of assuming all buses run on one schedule, these examples follow particular departures through published timepoints. They use Halifax Transit’s GTFS schedule feed valid from August 24 to November 29, 2026.
Route 56: Bridge Terminal to Dartmouth Crossing
The selected weekday trips below serve Micmac Terminal and the Dartmouth Crossing area. Each column represents one scheduled bus.
| Stop / timepoint | Trip 1 | Trip 2 | Trip 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge Terminal | 6:06 AM | 6:36 AM | 7:06 AM |
| Micmac Terminal | 6:12 AM | 6:42 AM | 7:12 AM |
| Commodore Dr after Lamont Terrace | 6:23 AM | 6:53 AM | 7:23 AM |
| Marketplace Dr before Bancroft Ln, Bay 4 | 6:39 AM | 7:09 AM | 7:39 AM |
Route 5: Portland Hills to Downtown Halifax
Route 5 connects the Portland Hills and Penhorn area with Alderney Gate, Bridge Terminal and Downtown Halifax.
| Timepoint | Trip 1 | Trip 2 | Trip 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Hills Terminal | 6:00 AM | 6:30 AM | 7:00 AM |
| Penhorn Terminal | 6:07 AM | 6:37 AM | 7:07 AM |
| Opposite Alderney Gate Ferry Terminal, Bay 1 | 6:14 AM | 6:44 AM | 7:14 AM |
| Bridge Terminal | 6:17 AM | 6:47 AM | 7:17 AM |
| Barrington St after Cogswell St | 6:25 AM | 6:55 AM | 7:25 AM |
These examples show approximately 25 minutes scheduled between Portland Hills and the selected Barrington Street timepoint. Traffic, route changes and time of day can affect other journeys.
Route 87: Sackville to Bridge Terminal
| Stop / timepoint | Early weekday trip | Next example |
|---|---|---|
| Sackville Terminal | 6:25 AM | 6:55 AM |
| Cobequid Terminal | 6:37 AM | 7:07 AM |
| Bedford Hwy before Dartmouth Rd | 6:43 AM | 7:13 AM |
| Highfield Terminal | 6:57 AM | 7:33 AM |
| Bridge Terminal | 7:07 AM | 7:43 AM |
Route 87’s first selected example takes 42 scheduled minutes from Sackville Terminal to Bridge Terminal. Not every later trip has the same running time.
Open official schedules and route maps to confirm all subsequent departures.
Dartmouth Bus Stops and Transfer Terminals
Large transit terminals have multiple bays. Two buses can serve the same terminal but depart from different platforms, and the return direction may use another stop number.
Bridge Terminal
A major Dartmouth interchange in the Wyse Road area, serving bus routes to Halifax, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Dartmouth neighbourhoods and regional destinations.
Confirm the bay number for your specific bus; the name “Bridge Terminal” alone is not a boarding instruction.
Alderney Gate / Ferry Terminal
Located in Downtown Dartmouth near Alderney Landing and the Halifax harbour ferry connection.
The bus stop across from the ferry terminal and the ferry entrance are separate boarding locations.
Micmac Terminal
Located near Mic Mac Mall at 21 Micmac Boulevard, Dartmouth.
Useful for transferring between Dartmouth Crossing, Portland Hills, northern Dartmouth and neighbourhood bus routes.
Portland Hills Terminal
675 Portland Street, Dartmouth.
Major transfer point for Portland Street corridor services, Cole Harbour connections and routes 5 and 72.
Penhorn Terminal
535 Portland Street, Dartmouth.
Check the correct platform, and do not confuse Penhorn Terminal with Portland Hills Terminal farther along Portland Street.
Highfield Terminal
A connection point for north Dartmouth, Burnside and routes travelling toward Sackville or Dartmouth Crossing.
Look for the actual bay or stop number in the current timetable.
How to Read a Halifax Transit Stop Sign
A typical Halifax Transit sign provides the route numbers serving that stop and a four-digit stop number. That number is useful for finding the correct departure instead of relying on an intersection name that may appear on both sides of a road.
- Find the stop sign at your intended boarding location.
- Read the route number and destination direction.
- Record the four-digit stop number.
- Use the official departure line or supported trip-planning tool.
- Check that the bus you are about to board displays the right destination.
Dartmouth Crossing to Halifax: Route and Transfer Map
The diagram shows one useful travel corridor through Dartmouth. It is a simplified stop-order illustration, not a geographic map or a promise that every trip follows exactly the same stopping pattern.
For example, Route 56 can take you from Dartmouth Crossing toward Bridge Terminal. From there, a suitable Halifax-bound bus such as Route 3 or 5 may complete the journey. However, Route 3 also provides some direct cross-harbour journeys from the Dartmouth Crossing corridor, so compare the full journey before adding a transfer.
Dartmouth Ferry Schedule: Alderney and Woodside
Halifax Transit operates two ferry connections across Halifax Harbour: the Alderney Ferry between Downtown Dartmouth and Downtown Halifax, and the Woodside Ferry between the Woodside area and Halifax.
The Alderney Ferry is often a convenient choice when both ends of your trip are near the waterfront. The crossing takes approximately 12 minutes, excluding walking and waiting time.
Alderney Ferry: Selected Weekday Departures
| Direction | Selected departures | Frequency pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Alderney → Halifax | 6:30, 7:00, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8:00, 8:15 AM | Frequent weekday daytime sailings, with evening reductions. |
| Halifax → Alderney | 6:45, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8:00, 8:15 AM | Weekday pattern differs slightly from the first Dartmouth departure. |
| Saturday and Sunday | Refer to the separate weekend table. | Generally less frequent than peak weekday service. |
Woodside Ferry: Important Difference
The Woodside Ferry has a different schedule from the Alderney Ferry and is more oriented toward weekday travel. It should not be treated as a seven-day replacement without checking its current operating calendar.
How to Take the Ferry From Downtown Dartmouth
- Find the Alderney Ferry Terminal at the Dartmouth waterfront.
- Check the sailing toward Halifax Ferry Terminal.
- Prepare cash, an eligible ticket, pass or activated HFXGO fare.
- Enter through the passenger boarding area.
- Follow staff instructions for boarding.
- After reaching Halifax, check the next bus or walking route to your final destination.
Check official Halifax Transit ferry schedules and service notices.
Dartmouth Bus Fare, HFXGO Tickets and Pass Prices
The published Halifax Transit fare structure lists a regular adult conventional bus or ferry ride at CAD $3.00. Youth ages 13–17 and seniors age 65 or older pay $2.25, while children ages 0–12 travel free.
Conventional Bus and Ferry Passes
| Fare product | Adult | Youth / senior |
|---|---|---|
| One ride | $3.00 | $2.25 |
| 10 rides | $27.00 | $20.25 |
| 20 rides | $48.00 | $36.00 |
| 1-day pass | $7.50 | $5.50 |
| 2-day pass | $13.50 | $10.00 |
| 7-day pass | $25.50 | $19.00 |
| Monthly pass | $90.00 | $66.00 |
Prices from the Halifax Transit Riders’ Guide effective August 25, 2025, reflecting the fare structure introduced September 1, 2024. The standard $3 local fare also appears in 2026 transit information. Recheck the official fare schedule before purchase.
Can Seniors Ride Free on Tuesdays?
Halifax Transit offers free bus and ferry travel for riders aged 65 and older on Tuesdays from 10 AM to 3:30 PM and again after 6 PM, under its published seniors’ program.
What Is HFXGO?
HFXGO is Halifax Transit’s mobile fare app. It lets riders buy and store selected tickets and passes on their phones and activate them before boarding.
- Visit Halifax’s official HFXGO page.
- Follow the download link for your phone.
- Open the app and select tickets or passes.
- Choose the correct fare product.
- Complete payment using an accepted method.
- Find the ticket in the wallet.
- Activate it immediately before boarding.
- Show the active ticket to the bus operator or ferry staff.
How Dartmouth Bus Transfers Work
Halifax Transit permits eligible transfers between conventional buses and ferries without buying a new fare for each leg, provided the transfer remains valid.
Paper transfer
Ask for a transfer when paying the initial fare. The paper transfer carries an expiry time; the agency’s rider guide explains validity for up to 90 minutes after the end of the route.
Read the printed expiry, not only the time you boarded.
HFXGO transfer
Activate the mobile fare before the first ride. A single HFXGO ticket is published as valid for 150 minutes from activation, allowing eligible transfers within that window.
Show the same active ticket for the next leg.
Does Route 320 Cost Extra After a Local Bus?
Yes, Regional Express services such as Route 320 have a higher fare. With an eligible conventional ticket, transfer or monthly pass, the published adult top-up is $1.50, while the youth/senior top-up is $1.00.
For general guidance on reading transfer timepoints, route branches and intermediate stops, see our transit bus schedule and transfer-planning guide. For Dartmouth, the Halifax Transit fare and transfer policy remains the authority.
How to Track a Dartmouth Bus in Real Time
Halifax Transit publishes schedule and arrival information through its departure tools and data provided to supported transit applications. A scheduled departure and a real-time prediction are different: one is the timetable, while the other reflects newer vehicle information when available.
Halifax Transit Bus Departures Line
Call the official departure information line at 902-480-8000. Enter the route and stop details when prompted to hear upcoming departures.
Halifax’s rider instructions distinguish “scheduled to depart” from “estimated to depart.” Estimated information is based on available real-time data, while scheduled information reflects the published timetable.
Using Google Maps or a Transit App
- Enter your destination in Dartmouth, Halifax or the surrounding community.
- Choose public-transit directions.
- Select your date and departure or arrival time.
- Open the recommended Halifax Transit route.
- Match the bus number, direction and stop number.
- Check whether the displayed arrival is scheduled or live.
- Review agency alerts before leaving.
Our Google Maps bus schedule, stop and departure-time tutorial explains how to select Transit, view upcoming departures, inspect walking distances and distinguish a live prediction from a scheduled time.
Dartmouth to Halifax Airport Bus: Route 320
Halifax Transit Route 320 is the Airport–Fall River Regional Express. It connects Downtown Halifax, Dartmouth’s Bridge Terminal, Fall River and Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
Selected Route 320 Schedule Example
The official Route 320 PDF effective May 19, 2025, lists this weekday trip. It illustrates the airport connection but must be checked against the 2026 timetable before travel.
| Stop | Example time |
|---|---|
| Scotia Square, Downtown Halifax | 5:20 AM |
| Bridge Terminal, Bay 10 | 5:35 AM |
| Fall River Park & Ride | 5:54 AM |
| Halifax Stanfield Airport | 6:09 AM |
Historical official schedule example, not a claim that the same departure is operating unchanged in November 2026.
Airport Travel Micro-Steps
- Find your nearest Dartmouth bus stop.
- Plan a trip to Bridge Terminal if you are not already near it.
- Open the current Route 320 timetable.
- Check the airport-bound departure and current bay.
- Allow extra time for baggage, walking and transfer delays.
- Prepare the Regional Express fare or eligible top-up.
- Board the bus displaying the airport destination.
- Confirm the current airport unloading stop and walking route to check-in.
How to Find a Dartmouth Bus Route, Stop and Map
Halifax’s map and timetable pages cover the whole municipality. Follow this sequence to avoid using a Halifax-side stop for a Dartmouth-bound trip, or confusing a local bus with an express branch.
- Open official routes: visit Halifax Transit Routes & Schedules.
- Choose a route: select 3, 5, 56, 72, 87, 320 or another relevant number.
- Read the route name: check that the number serves the destination you need.
- Open the current timetable: review the document’s effective service date.
- Select the travel day: weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday.
- Check the destination: for example Bridge Terminal, Dartmouth Crossing or Scotia Square.
- Find your boarding stop: use the stop name, stop number and physical side of the street.
- Read the same trip across: do not mix times from different scheduled departures.
- Review alerts: check for construction, snow-related routing or a closed stop.
- Arrive before departure: allow extra time at large terminals and for transfers.
Dartmouth Bus Alerts: Detours, Holidays and Snow Plans
Halifax Transit schedules are subject to change during construction, special events, severe winter weather and seasonal schedule updates.
The current published timetable feed covers August 24–November 29, 2026. A new schedule period can begin afterward, so a November timetable should not automatically be used for December travel.
Check whether your normal stop is temporarily closed and which nearby signed stop is being used instead.
Some routes may use a snow-plan path or experience delays. Pay special attention to steep streets, untreated sidewalks and changes to accessible boarding locations.
Weekday holiday exceptions can differ from regular weekday schedules. Check Remembrance Day and other special-service notices.
Vessel maintenance, weather or operating restrictions can change sailing frequency. Check ferry-specific notices before choosing the harbour crossing.
Visit Halifax Transit’s official homepage for current service changes and notices.
Dartmouth Accessible Buses, Ferries and Access-A-Bus
Halifax Transit’s bus fleet and ferries are designed for accessible transportation, but not every physical bus stop has the same ramp, sidewalk or landing-pad conditions.
A wheelchair symbol identifies a standard accessible stop with suitable ramp deployment and a connected boarding area.
Ramp deployment may be possible, but the concrete pad or accessible pedestrian path may not meet the same standards.
Do not assume the bus ramp can be safely used at a stop marked as unsuitable for ramp deployment.
What Is Access-A-Bus?
Access-A-Bus is Halifax Transit’s specialized accessible transportation service for eligible passengers whose needs cannot be accommodated by conventional fixed-route transit under the program’s rules.
Registration: 902-490-6681.
Bookings: 902-490-6999.
Accessible Journey Checklist
- Check the stop’s accessibility symbol.
- Confirm the route and boarding direction.
- Review sidewalk and curb conditions.
- Allow sufficient time for ramp boarding.
- Check ferry or terminal accessibility.
- Review construction or snow-plan notices.
- Confirm eligibility for specialized services.
- Contact Halifax Transit when an accessible connection is uncertain.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia vs Dartmouth College or Dartmouth, Massachusetts
This page covers Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Other places named Dartmouth have different operators, timetables and payment policies.
Halifax Transit local and express buses, Alderney Ferry, Woodside Ferry and Route 320 to the airport.
Standard adult conventional fare: CAD $3.
Advance Transit operates fare-free local buses around Hanover, Lebanon and the Upper Valley. Dartmouth Coach operates paid intercity travel to Boston and New York.
Served by Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA), with separate New Bedford/Fall River-area schedules and UMass Dartmouth transportation services.
Travelling to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire?
Use our Dartmouth Coach bus schedule for Hanover, Boston, Logan Airport and New York if you need the intercity coach rather than Halifax Transit in Nova Scotia. These are completely different trips, and Dartmouth Coach requires the appropriate ticket or reservation.
Intercity Coach vs Local Bus
Travellers using a private intercity carrier, such as Maritime Bus in Nova Scotia, should check boarding terminals, advance tickets and luggage rules rather than applying Halifax Transit’s $3 local fare. Our coach bus timetable, ticket and boarding checklist explains those differences and what to verify before an intercity journey.
For Dartmouth, Massachusetts, use SRTA’s official routes and schedules. For Dartmouth College-area local buses, use Advance Transit.
Halifax Transit Customer Service for Dartmouth Riders
For lost property, record the route number, direction, boarding stop, date, approximate travel time and a clear description of the item.
Open Halifax Transit’s official contact and rider information.
Dartmouth Bus Boarding Checklist
- Confirm Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is your destination.
- Find the complete Halifax Transit route number.
- Check the weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday timetable.
- Read the schedule’s effective dates.
- Confirm the destination displayed on the bus.
- Locate the correct stop number or terminal bay.
- Check for detours, cancellations or snow-plan changes.
- Prepare cash, ticket, pass or active HFXGO fare.
- Plan any bus-to-bus or bus-to-ferry transfer.
- Check the last return trip before starting the journey.
Official Dartmouth Bus Schedules, Fares and Resources
Official route listings, system maps, timetables and ferry information.
Open official route directoryOfficial fare structure, route maps, transfer instructions and service information. Edition effective August 25, 2025.
Open the official riders’ guide PDFOfficial ticket purchase and activation instructions.
Open HFXGO informationRoute updates, construction notices and seasonal service changes.
Check transit announcementsAirport–Fall River timetable, officially labelled effective May 19, 2025. Check newer schedules before travel.
Open Route 320 timetableRegistration, booking and accessible travel guidance.
Open Access-A-Bus informationCurrent feed-derived route tables covering August 24–November 29, 2026; useful for checking selected times against agency data.
View current feed-derived timetablesLocal downtown routes, ferry access and active transportation information.
View Downtown Dartmouth’s getting-around guideIndependent-site disclaimer: BusSchedule.us is not Halifax Transit or Halifax Regional Municipality. It does not operate buses or ferries, issue official tickets, control service disruptions or guarantee departure times. All fares above are in Canadian dollars.
Dartmouth Bus Schedule FAQs
1. Where can I find the Dartmouth bus schedule?
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is served by Halifax Transit. Visit the official Halifax Transit routes and schedules page, select your route number, choose the correct direction and service day, and check your stop or terminal time.
2. Which buses go from Dartmouth to Halifax?
Halifax-bound connections include Routes 1, 3, 5 and some 10-series services, depending on your starting point. The Alderney Ferry also connects Downtown Dartmouth with Downtown Halifax. Check the complete route and direction before boarding.
3. Which bus goes to Dartmouth Crossing?
Halifax Transit Routes 56 and 72 serve the Dartmouth Crossing area. Route 56 connects Bridge Terminal, Micmac Terminal and Dartmouth Crossing, while Route 72 connects Portland Hills and other Dartmouth stops with the shopping area.
4. How much is the Dartmouth bus fare?
The published conventional Halifax Transit adult fare is CAD $3.00. Youth aged 13–17 and seniors aged 65 and older pay $2.25, while children aged 0–12 travel free. Regional Express services such as Route 320 cost more.
5. Does Dartmouth have a bus to Halifax Airport?
Yes. Halifax Transit Route 320, Airport–Fall River Regional Express, serves Dartmouth’s Bridge Terminal and Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The published adult Regional Express fare is $4.75.
6. How do I check live Dartmouth bus arrivals?
Use Halifax Transit’s supported departure tools, including the Bus Departures Line at 902-480-8000. Find the route number and stop number, then check whether the time is scheduled or an estimated arrival based on real-time information.
7. Is there a ferry from Dartmouth to Halifax?
Yes. The Alderney Ferry connects Downtown Dartmouth and Halifax with a scheduled crossing of approximately 12 minutes. The Woodside Ferry offers another connection with a different operating schedule. Check current notices for reduced or cancelled sailings.
8. Can I transfer between a Dartmouth bus and ferry?
Yes, subject to Halifax Transit’s valid transfer rules. Paper transfers have printed expiry times, while a single HFXGO ticket is published as valid for 150 minutes from activation. Regional Express services may require a fare top-up.
9. Does Halifax Transit operate on weekends?
Many routes serving Dartmouth operate on Saturdays and Sundays, including Routes 3, 5, 56, 72 and 87. Some branch and express routes operate only on weekdays or follow different weekend schedules. Always check the exact route.
10. Is Dartmouth bus service wheelchair accessible?
Halifax Transit operates accessible buses and ferries, but individual stops differ in ramp deployment and pedestrian access. Check accessible-stop symbols and current conditions. Eligible passengers may also apply for Access-A-Bus specialized transportation.