1. Who is eligible to participate in the OPT program?

All QEII Health Sciences Centre staff are eligible to enroll in the program (Permanent Full-time/Part-time, Casual, Term, Physician & Support Staff)

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2. How and when can staff register?

November 1, 2024 registration is now open from Thursday, September 12 until Thursday, October 10.

 

3. What are the five taxi vouchers to be used for?

When QEII staff sign up for Option #1 (Active/Sustainable Transportation) or Option #2 (Public Transportation), they receive five free taxi vouchers from Halifax Transit's Guaranteed Ride Home Program to get home from work throughout the year in case of a personal/family emergency or illness, overtime, or if their carpool partner is unavailable. 

 

4. What can you not use the 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

 

5. Is the Halifax Transit EPass a taxable benefit?

Nova Scotia Health (employer) paid portion ($357/annually) is a taxable benefit and will be reflected on the employee’s T4 for employees who pay via payroll deduction. All other participants, who pay through Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) payments, are required to self-report their contributions on tax returns.

 

6. How will carpooling work?

100 spots are available Monday to Friday at the Summer Street Parkade on levels 6 & 7 to accommodate staff who carpool to work and arrive before 8:30 a.m. with a minimum of two staff per car (NS Health ID required). Each carpool vehicle will cost $10 per day to park.

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Carpooling spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff are not required to register for carpooling parking spots.

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7. How will the parking spots be used at the Garrison Grounds?

Parking spots will be dedicated at the Garrison Grounds for QEII staff during daytime hours, Monday through Friday (5:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.), on a first-come, first-served basis, except when the space is booked for events. Beyond the hours that QEII staff will use the spots, they will be open to the public to use/pay for.

 

8. How much will it cost to park at the Garrison Grounds & College St?

$8/day

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9. When are the days that the Garrison Grounds lot will not be available?

Please visit the Off-Site Parking at the QEII site for the dates. 

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10. Will there be a shuttle for the Garrison Grounds?

A complimentary shuttle will be available to transport staff to and from the Garrison Grounds parking lot to the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General sites, from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a midday pause in parking shuttle service from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

 

Pick-up/Drop-off locations are as follows: 

• Garrison Grounds parking lot shelter 

• Halifax Infirmary Summer Street entrance 

• Victoria General MacKenzie Building Entrance

 

​12. How many new parking spots were added to the Garrison Grounds? 

The Garrison Grounds parking expansion will add approximately 111 new spots for a total number of 230 parking spaces available to QEII staff.

 

13. Will the Garrison Grounds parking lot be asphalt or gravel?

Temporarily, gravel will be used. When construction is complete in October, the parking lot will be asphalt.