Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is extending warm wishes to all residents for a safe and happy holiday season. Please be advised of the following municipal service levels in effect over the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays: Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours: No municipal solid waste collection services will take place on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, or New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1. Curbside collection of garbage, organics or recyclables normally scheduled for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, will occur instead on the following Saturdays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Residents are reminded that collection services can begin as early as 7 a.m.; to ensure pick-up, residents may place materials curbside the evening prior to collection day. The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility, the Halifax Recycling Plant and municipal composting facilities will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but will be open regular operating hours on Saturday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 2. The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on both Saturday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 2, and will re-open for regular operating hours on Saturday, Jan. 9. Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services: Halifax Transit buses will be operating on holiday service schedules on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 and New Year’s Day, Jan.1. Please note there is no Alderney or Woodside Ferry service in operation on either Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Buses and ferries will also operate on holiday service on Boxing Day, Saturday, Dec. 26. For detailed holiday service schedules by individual route, visit www.halifax.ca/transit/Schedules/index.php. Halifax Transit is pleased to once again offer free, extended bus and Alderney ferry service on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, from 6 p.m. onward, in support of M.A.D.D. Halifax Region. Visit www.halifax.ca/transit/newyearseve.php for complete extended service details. Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services: Municipally-operated recreation facilities, with the exception of the Emera Oval, will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Jan.1. Please call ahead to your individual facility in advance to confirm complete holiday operating hours: www.halifax.ca/rec/reccentres.php. Gather together with family and friends at the Emera Oval, which is now open for the winter season. Public skates will be held throughout the holidays; visit www.halifax.ca/skatehrm for a complete skate schedule and event listing. Parking: On-street parking meter spaces are free on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, however motorists are reminded to abide by other posted signage. 311 Halifax & Customer Service Centres: The 311 Contact Centre will be closed for general inquires on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Customers may still call 311 for urgent requests only concerning Transportation, Municipal Operations, Facilities, Animal Services, Waste Water Services and Illegally Parked Vehicles. The five Customer Service Centres that provide in-person access to municipal services and payments will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 28, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Source: Release