New taxi service blames other businesses
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Sanikiluaq (Nov 27/00) - Mary's Taxi has a monopoly in Sanikiluaq, but customers aren't ringing the telephone off the hook.
Kupapik Ningeocheak, driver and part owner of Mary's Taxi, blames other businesses and the hamlet and housing corporation for taking all of the fares.
"We get a few calls here and a few calls there, but not even everyday," said Ningeocheak.
The taxi service started three months ago, but Ningeocheak complains that none of the government employees who fly into town call because the hamlet or housing corporation is there to pick them up.
"We think they should be supporting local businesses instead of taking away our business," he said.
Brian Flemming, the hamlet's senior administrative officer, said they welcome Mary's Taxi.
"I think it's just a matter of people getting used to having a taxi service in town and they have to get used to paying for the service," said Flemming.
He has been shuttling people around for years because they are one of the few outfits in the community with vehicles.
"In the past we've had to provide a bit of a taxi service and it is disruptive and we don't really have the resources for it."
Mary's Taxi received a $15,000 loan from the Kakivak Association to cover the insurance, a seven-passenger mini-van and Ningeocheak's Class 4 driver's licence.
With Mary's Taxi, a ride in town is $3 and a trip to the airport is $5 per person.
Flemming admits the hamlet still drops off and picks up their employees from the airport and occasionally the MLA, Peter Kattuk, but people are just calling them out of habit.
The Belcher Island community hasn't had a taxi service in 10 years.
The Northern Stores manager said they deliver groceries two or three times a day, but never drive people around.
"We only deliver groceries and go out to the airport to pick up our freight," said Wes Hamilton.
