Why is this program only available to QEII staff?

The OPT program was designed for QEII Staff because of the significant reduction in on-site parking and the disruption to the site caused by the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project (link) construction.

​

Who manages this program?
The OPT program is managed by Partners for Care. Partners for Care works closely with the QEII sites leads and Halifax Transit to provide new and improved options for QEII staff.

​

​

Option #1 - Active & Sustainable Transportation 

Who is eligible to register for Option #1?
All permanent full-time/part-time, casual, term, physician & support staff at the QEII Health Sciences Centre are eligible to enroll in the program. Contractors are currently not eligible. 

How can I register for Option #1?
You can visit this page to register. Registration is open each month. You can look at the registration schedule.

What do I need to register?
You do not need anything to register.

​

What do I get when I register for Option #1?
You will receive five taxi vouchers from Halifax Transit's Guaranteed Ride Home Program and an OPT Program tumbler.

How to do I get my Option #1 items?
You will receive an email the week after registration closes each month with pick up instructions for your OPT package. 
 

How does carpooling work?
100 spots are available Monday to Friday at the Summer Street Parkade on part of level 6 & 7 for staff who arrive before 8:30 a.m. with a minimum of two staff per car (NS Health ID required). 
 

Do I need to register to carpool?
No, carpooling spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

What can I use the Guarenteed Ride Home Program taxi vouchers for?
The taxi vouchers can be used to get you home from work for the following events:

• personal/family emergency

• illness

• unscheduled overtime

• if your carpool partner is unavailable

​

What can't I use the Guaranteed Ride Home Program taxi vouchers for?
Taxi vouchers may not be used for the following events:

• personal errands

• pre-planned medical or dental appointments

• business-related travel

• weather-related transit service delays and disruptions

​

Option #2 - Public Transportation 

​​

Who is eligible to register for Option #2?

All permanent full-time/part-time, casual, term, physician & support staff at the QEII Health Sciences Centre are eligible to enroll in the program. Contractors are currently not eligible. 

What do I get when I register for Option #2?

You will receive five taxi vouchers from Halifax Transit's Guarenteed Ride Home Program, your personalized Epass (bus pass) and an OPT Program tumbler.

What is an Epass?
An Epass is a permanent plastic bus pass with your photo on it from Halifax Transit. With the Epass, you won't be required to buy a new pass each month. 
 

How can I register for Option #2?

You can visit this link to register. Registration is open each month. You can look at the registration schedule here.

What do I need to register?
You will need your PERSON ID # for the registration form, which you can find at the top of your pay stub & a photo of yourself for the EPass.

If you are casual/term full-time and part-time staff, physicians and physician support staff you will also need a copy of your banking information for the monthly Pre-authorized debit payment. If you have any questions, please email optprogram@nshealth.ca

How to do I get my Option #2 items?
You will receive an email the week after registration closes each month with pick up instructions for your OPT package. Please keep in mind, it is participants responsibility to collect their items prior to the 1st of the month. Epass payments cannot be adjusted once confirmed through registration. 

How do I pay for my Epass? 
All permanent full-time and part-time staff pay for the pass through bi-weekly payroll deductions. The payroll deduction will being on the pay period noted on the Epass registration form. All casual/term full-time and part-time staff, physicians and physician support staff pay for the pass through monthly Pre-Authorized Debit payments through their personal bank account. The PAD payment will begin the month you signed up for.

How does the Epass deduction show up on my pay stub?
Your Epass payment will show up as SmartTrip EE under Other Deductions.

I'm paying monthly with PAD payments, what will the deduction be from my bank account?
The deduction will show up as CBDHA PAP MSP.

Is the Halifax Transit Epass a taxable benefit?
The Nova Scotia Health (employer) paid portion ($357/annually) is a taxable benefit and is reflected on the employee's T4 and pay stub for staff who pay via payroll deduction.
If you pay through Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) payments you will need to self-report their contributions on your tax returns.

How does the taxable benefit show up on my pay stub?
Your Epass payment will show up as SmartTrip ER under Employee Contributions.

What can I use the Guaranteed Ride Home Program taxi vouchers for?
The taxi vouchers can be used to get you home from work for the following events:

• personal/family emergency

• illness

• unscheduled overtime

​

What can't I use the Guaranteed Ride Home Program taxi vouchers for?
Taxi vouchers may not be used for the following events:

• personal errands

• pre-planned medical or dental appointments

• business-related travel

• weather-related transit service delays and disruptions

Do I need to register for the Epass every year?
No, once you register your pass will auto-renew until you cancel. 

How does my pass auto-renew?
You will receive an email a month before your pass expires with instructions on how to pick up a sticker that will valid your card for another year. 

How do I cancel/suspend my pass?
The EPass program requires participants to register for one year; however, passes can be canceled due to:

• change in employment status

• change in work location or flex work options

• Provincial Health Emergency (COVID-19)

• parental leave

• medical leave

Please email optprogram@nshealth.ca to confirm you would like to cancel your card. Halifax Transit requires payment for an entire month. If you choose to suspend/cancel your pass, please allow enough time to request and confirm your change for the end of the month to avoid charges for the following full month.
 

I lost my Epass, what do I do?
If you have lost your Epass please call the Halifax Transit Lost & Found at 902-490-6617 to see if the pass has been turned in. If your pass has not been turned in a replacement card can be ordered for you. The new card fee is $25 and added to your next Epass payment. It can take up to two weeks to receive a replacement and it is mailed directly to your home.

What bus services can I use my Epass for?
The Epass can be used for buses, ferries, Express & Regional Express routes & the Access-A-Bus.

Can I use my Epass like a regular bus pass or only to and from work?
You can use the Epass like a regular bus pass and use it any time. ​​

 

 

Option #3 - Parking
 

Can staff park at the Summer Street parkade?
Staff can park at on-site during non-peak hours (2:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.) on weekdays and anytime during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

How do I park at the Garrison Grounds parking lot?
QEII staff can park at the Garrison Grounds Monday through Friday (6:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.), on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking lot is open to the public outside of these hours. 

How do I park at the College Street parking lot?

QEII staff can park at the College Street lot Monday through Friday on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking lot is open to the public outside of these hours. 
 

How much does it cost to park at the Garrison Grounds & College Street parking lots?

• College Street Parking Lot is $8/day.

• Garrison Grounds is $8/day (+$0.54 convenience/transaction fee if paid for through the IndigoNeo app or online).
   

Is there security at Garrison Grounds?
A security guard is on-site at the Garrison Grounds Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is a shelter for staff to wait for the shuttle, which takes them to the HI and VG.

 

Is there a staff shuttle for the Garrison Grounds?

A complimentary shuttle is available Monday through Friday except for Holidays between Garrison Grounds, Halifax Infirmary Summer Street and the MacKenzie Building Entrance. Click here for the shuttle schedule and route details. 

 

Where can physicians park?

Physicians can park onsite at the QEII. Please connect with the parking office for more information. 

How are on-call staff accommodated?

On-call staff can park on-site at the Halifax Infirmary. On-Call parking spots are located on Level 3 of the Summer Street parkade.​

​

Get the shuttle schedule here: Off-Site Parking at the QEII