Inuvik seeks federal funding to add public van, improve transit

Inuvik is conducting a feasibility study in the hope of potentially securing federal funding for public transit.

Cheryl Greenland, the town’s community energy champion, said this is the first time Inuvik has applied for the federal Rural Transit Solutions Fund.

If the town qualifies, the study’s findings will determine what kind of transit system is possible and what level of funding will be needed.

Last week, the town asked residents to fill out a short survey about how people get around and whether they like the idea of a public transit option within the community.

Greenland said the goal is to help residents who struggle with mobility or affordability, particularly in the winter. She said cab rides, the only way to get around town, cost at least $8 per person for each trip.

“A lot of people – Elders, low-income families – can’t really afford to take a cab two to three times a day to maybe go grocery shopping,” she told Cabin Radio.

“We were hoping to just have a community van to transit local community members, targeting people who can’t afford cabs [or] don’t get out when it is too slippery out during the winter time.”

Greenland said a van would be offered at a low fare.

Bus shelters, bike paths, e-bikes and charging stations are other examples of improvements that could be considered. The town will also seek drivers and a place to store the vehicle.

Greenland said local taxi drivers have not commented on whether this would affect their business.

“I think it is doable, for sure. I think it is just a matter of we plan it really well to serve the community members,” she said.

“Once it goes to the engineers, they’ll give us their recommendations and then we will sit down and look at the recommendations to see if this is feasible or not.”

Inuvik’s 2025 energy plan report showed a heavy reliance on personal vehicles that is common to many northern communities.

To get around, the report stated, more than 70 percent of people in Inuvik use a car, truck or van. Twenty-six percent of residents walk, while carpooling is limited – only seven percent share a vehicle with one other person, and just one percent travel with two or more passengers.

Besides a shuttle service, the town is also considering the feasibility of introducing an electric school bus and adding an electric vehicle to the municipal fleet.

The report noted that expanding ride-sharing initiatives and alternative transit options could help reduce transportation-related energy consumption.

“Public transit use is negligible, as Inuvik currently has no public bus system,” the report stated. “With over a quarter of residents relying on active transportation, improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure would enhance accessibility and safety.”

“Given the absence of public transit and low rates of carpooling, exploring community-led transit solutions or demand-based pubic transportation may reduce vehicle dependency and improve accessibility for residents.”