Late on the night of  September 15, 2025, Halifax Transit operators and supervisors stepped in to support their community after a devastating apartment fire forced hundreds of residents from their homes. Just after midnight, Halifax Transit received an urgent request from Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE). A large apartment building on Hanwell Drive in Middle Sackville was fully involved in a fire , and residents were being ordered to evacuate.  

More than 300 people were forced to flee their homes as the blaze spread throughout the building. Firefighters worked through the night to control the fire. While residents stood outside facing an uncertain and frightening situation, Halifax Transit moved quickly to help.  

Despite it being the end of service on a Sunday night, the system mobilized  ten buses and three  Mobile Supervisors to respond to the emergency.  

Transit operators worked alongside  HRFE, the RCMP, and Halifax Regional Police to safely move residents away from the area. Many had to leave their homes quickly and with few belongings. Buses transported evacuees to the closest transit terminal before proceeding onward to a temporary shelter that had been set up for residents to seek refuge.  

The response continued through into the early morning hours. Operators and supervisors remained on scene supporting residents until around 5:00 a.m., when additional transit staff arrived to relieve them and continue the effort.  

The immediate response involved Bus Operators Makayla Bissonnette, Steve Burke, Dan Flynn, Sylvia Mitchell, Seyed Mohammed, Dale  Rissesco, Cory Sequin, Dulendra  Sonnadara, and Sami Windsor, along with Mobile Supervisors Jonathan Lewin, Talbot Sweeney, and Anthony Vanemberg. Their heroic efforts, along with the colleagues who later relieved them, ensured residents could be transported safely away from the scene and to shelter.  

While responding to emergencies is part of the job for many transit systems, the compassion shown by Halifax Transit staff stood out. Operators helped guide residents onto buses and answered questions, all while providing calm reassurance during an incredibly stressful night.  

For many evacuees, a Halifax Transit bus became the first step toward safety after being forced from their homes.  

Stories like this highlight why  Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day (TOWAD)  exists: to recognize the people across Canada who keep communities moving and step up when they are needed most. Public transit workers play a vital role in connecting people to safety, services, and each other every day.  

On that long night in Sackville, Halifax Transit operators and supervisors demonstrated exactly what that commitment looks like: professionalism, compassion, and a dedication to serving their community when it mattered most.