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Smooth ride

Friendship centre buys bus and van for students

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 22/00) - Elementary and middle school students are riding in style these days.

The Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre in Rankin recently purchased a new school bus and a late-model van.

Myrna Michon, executive director of the centre, says the bus will transport Area 6 students, and the van will transport students in Area 5.

"We brought in new vehicles because we felt very strongly we needed reliable vehicles up here," says Michon.

"We now have an inspector based out of Iqaluit and the vehicles have to be safety inspected twice a year."

The centre had to conduct special driving training as drivers of vehicles transporting more than 24 passengers must possess a Class 2 licence.

One group of drivers is already on the road and a second group is currently being trained.

Michon and the husband and wife tandem of Jim and May Cameron have their Class 2 licences and will act as backups.

Pierre Kolit and Jackie Ugjuk have been qualified with the District Education Authority (DEA) and are operating the two vehicles.

Michon says that if the centre gets more funding, the van may also be used to transport seniors.

"We're funded for the student runs through our contract with the DEA and we'd like to eventually be using the van for seniors in between the school runs.

"Our DEA contract may be reviewed next year. It's not a multi-year contract, so we just have to trust we'll have it renewed on a yearly basis.

"We're also hoping we'll be able to get some capital money support for the vehicles from the Kivalliq Business Development Bank."