In early December, Hay River resident Ashley Snelgrove spotted something she hadn't seen in town in almost a year: a taxi.
"When I saw that first taxi pull up beside me, I was so happy for our community to finally have a taxi service back," she said. "Many of the people in the community need this taxi service. From small trips to grocery shopping, to needing a safe ride home on a night out, to medical travel, it is very much needed in the community."
By the beginning of 2024, Hay River's two previous taxi companies were on their last legs. They were gone as of spring, leaving any residents who don't drive in a difficult position.
After months of challenges, the situation has finally improved, thanks to former Yellowknife resident Okbay Hailemariam and his new company NorthStar Taxi, which officially hit the roads on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
"WeSA国际影视传媒檙e getting a lot of calls," Hailemariam said from his car. "The people are very nice so far."
Hailemariam applied for his taxi licence with the Town of Hay River several months ago, and was quickly approved. He currently has two vehicles on the road SA国际影视传媒� both yellow SA国际影视传媒� and has plans to expand his fleet to four cars if business is good.
It certainly seems that NorthStar Taxi's services will be in high demand. There have been have dozens of comments about the new taxi service on the Hay River community Facebook group, and they have been almost unanimously positive, with residents expressing their excitement and gratitude.
"I saw that," Hailemariam said of the social media response. "ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of happiness.
"ISA国际影视传媒檓 excited about it too."
NorthStar Taxi's vehicles do not use meters, and instead charge riders a flat rate based on the distance to their destination. During a recent town council meeting, however, senior administrative officer Glenn Smith likened the new company to a "start-up," noting that they're still "trying to figure out their distances and demands."
Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson told SA国际影视传媒 the company's arrival is "a huge relief."
"We have seniors that need to get to appointments, people with dialysis that need to get to appointments," she said. "ItSA国际影视传媒檚 going to relieve a whole lot of pressure in a whole lot of places."
NorthStar Taxi currently operates until midnight each day.
