The viability of establishing bus service in Cambridge Bay, either as a public service or as a private undertaking, is being examined.

The Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce has undertaken the research for a pilot project. Chamber executive director Valter Botelho-Resendes is looking at ways of tapping into government financial support, such as by possibly acquiring a 25-passenger electric mini-bus, which may qualify under SA国际影视传媒済reenSA国际影视传媒� funds.

He said heSA国际影视传媒檚 brought the proposal to the Hamlet of Cambridge Bay, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and

the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency seeking support.

SA国际影视传媒淚f the hamlet doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 want to take it on (as a public service) thenSA国际影视传媒� I do think it should be a paid service of some sort but ISA国际影视传媒檇 like the money to go back into infrastructureSA国际影视传媒� somehow back into road infrastructure,SA国际影视传媒� Botelho-Resendes said, adding that fares would likely be waived for elders and children.
HeSA国际影视传媒檚 hoping the project could be a reality by 2020 or 2021.

He said heSA国际影视传媒檚 been approached by residents who have complained about taxi service being unreliable at times in the community of close to 1,750 people, and heSA国际影视传媒檚 experienced lengthy waits himself.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople are saying if we had better transportation we could get to work better, we could get around better,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淧olar Knowledge would be more accessible SA国际影视传媒� the CHARS (Canadian High Arctic Research Station) building SA国际影视传媒� the airport and so on.SA国际影视传媒�

The initiative is not meant to undercut cab service, he said. The bus would be equipped with real-time tracking showing its whereabouts and whether itSA国际影视传媒檚 on schedule. If residents missed the bus, the app on their phone would direct them to taxi options, he noted, adding that heSA国际影视传媒檚 talked to owners of the local taxi companies.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to make it so it works hand-in-hand,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

The bus service would probably run from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. during weekdays with a condensed express route during peak hours and possibly a second bus in service. Weekend hours would likely be scaled back from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. he said.

There would also be prerecorded announcements made on board the bus in the Inuit language, English and French, letting passengers know which stop is coming next.

Botelho-Resendes created an online poll on Facebook that closes at at the end of the month. Sixty-two votes had been cast of Oct. 17 about 85 per cent were in favour of creating bus service, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淭his would be huge in the North,SA国际影视传媒� he said, noting that other Kitikmeot communities may also be candidates for similar ventures in the future. SA国际影视传媒淭he whole goal of this is not just for Cambridge BaySA国际影视传媒� we want to take it to Kugluktuk, Kugaaruk, Taloyoak. Those communities are the worst hit. Taloyoak doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a taxi at all.SA国际影视传媒�

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 researching three companies with electric buses that can be wheelchair accessible and are also proven to run in Northern climates.

Rankin Auto Value commenced bus service in Rankin Inlet in September, initially for free but then started charging on Oct. 1. Fares are $10 per adult for single use, $5 for elders and youth. Monthly pass options are available as well.

No one involved with that operation was available for comment.