Halifax Transit director Eddie Robar takes new job in Edmonton

Eddie Robar, the director of Halifax Transit, will be leaving the job by the end of the year according to city officials.

Robar, who's been in the position since 2011, has accepted a job as branch manager for the Edmonton Transit System. While the new position is the same as his current job, Robar said couldn't ignore the challenges of a larger transit system.

"I'm pretty excited about it. It's a transit property that's three times the size of ours, it's got 3,800 employees, a $300 million budget and they're looking for new blood," he said Monday.

Jennifer Stairs, a spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Municipality, said Robar notified staff of his new job late last week. A formal note to council was sent out on Monday morning.

"We started the recruitment for a successor already," Stairs said Monday. "Hopefully there will be some overlap between the time we get someone new in and when Eddie actually leaves. So, we're thankful he was able to give us a bit of a heads up."

Robar began working for the municipality as a transit scheduler 14 years ago. Since 2013, he's overseen plans to change the system's routes. Council is set to review the final draft plan of the overhaul this fall before it's implemented.

Robar said he wasn't looking for a new job but he was contacted by Edmonton officials. 

"The timing wasn't mine to choose and obviously it's during a pretty busy time in Halifax Transit's history," he said.