The Halifax Airport (YHZ) already charges a C$ 20 "airport improvement fee" for every departure. As of January 1st, this fee will rise by 25% to C$ 25. All tickets sold after September with departures after December will be charged the higher fee.

I had expected everything but a fee increase. It is already an expensive airport, it is far out which makes travel to/from the airport expensive, and it has lost several routes already. Higher fees are not going to bring back those airplanes.

The announcement "coincided" with VIA Rail's announcement to cut train services between Halifax and Montreal in half. Come fall, there will only be 3 departures a week from Halifax instead of 6.

Of course, this will make train travel less attractive and reduce the number of travellers. At the same time, expences for some infrastructure like railway stations are not going to decrease likewise. I'm very disappointed by VIA Rail's failures, but for people and tourism in smaller towns along the railway line this is a desaster.

Would anyone be surprised if Acadien Bus raises their fares now?

I wonder what the AIFs would be like if the Feds didn't continue to suck out a quarter of a billion dollars in "rent" annually from the airports?

Its worse: Acadian Bus is shutting down for good. The Maritimes will have no more coach services after Nov 30.

It's a public transport meltdown.