Some business owners and residents have a concern with bus service to Main Street.
"HRM Metro Transit does not offer a bus route on Main Street itself," said Graziella Grbac, executive director of the Main Street Business Improvement District. "This is a major community, not a back road. It is hard to believe that the area has been overlooked."
Grbas has started an online petition to encourage commuters comments.
She says people coming from areas like Montague, the Prestons, Porter's Lake, Cherry Brook, and the area around Auburn Drive have to go to Cole Harbour Road or the Penhorn or Portland terminals before they can get to Main Street.
"The district has a college on one end and a mall on the other end. And people can't get there without going to Portland Hills or Penhorn first."
Grbac wants to get customers to the the businesses in her area, but says the lack of buses is also a problem for employees who work on Main Street.
Steve Breed, who owns four Tim Horton's on Main Street agrees.
"It has always been a challenge for me to attract potential employees, with one of the contributing factors being very poor bus service. It is a strange thing. It seems the bus routes are established here for the neighbourhoods but not for the major thoroughfare."
Breed is encouraging his employees to sign the petition.
And so is Heather Johnson, owner of Smitty's.
"Our current situation makes it very difficult for staff to travel to and from work. As well, potential customers travel past instead of through our
business community. A bus line directly through Main Street from Lake Major or even further out the number seven highway would be beneficial."
Grbac has met with Metro Transit officials and the mayor.
She says they are now aware of the situation.
"Mayor Savage was shocked when I showed him the current routes and how they do not go down Main Street."
The petition is a way to strengthen their position and gain support, said Grbac.
"I am hoping to gather as many names as possible and even ideas on what a route on Main Street would look like. It may even may as simple as having the Porter's Lake, Metro X route , which starts this fall, having regular stops along Main Street."
Grbac welcomes any questions and invited everyone to sign the petition and leave their comments.
"You can read what people are saying on our Facebook site. It is really starting to attract attention. It is early days yet, we are taking it a step at a time."
Metro Transit spokesperson, Michaelyn Thompson says there are currently four routes serving the Main Street area which provide direct service from many areas of HRM.
"The reach of these routes is extended further through transfers at several Metro Transit terminals, including Portland Hills and Penhorn. Should this petition be submitted via regional council, staff will prepare an official response at that time."
