Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (June 03/02) - It's all up to Iqalungmiut now. So says Rick Butler, the city's chief administrative officer.

Referring to a potential public transit system, Butler said last Wednesday that city residents have to get out and show how much they want a transit service by using the bus during a trial period this fall.

"It will be a trial for a week or two. We want to see how it's going to go," said Butler.

Consultants specializing in public transit are analysing the bus service that ran during the Arctic Winter Games and meeting with stakeholders, potential contractors and private sector businesses interested in a partnership.

"They're talking to people who voiced interest in a transit system," said Butler. "They'll give us a report sometime in the next few months."

That report will demonstrate to city administrators and councillors if the service is feasible and cost-effective.

"The trial is a challenge to the community to see if they'll use it.

"Then we'll have to go back to the community to see if they want to pay for it," said Butler.

Twenty-seven residents attended a public meeting on the matter last Monday night.