Rankin Inlet (Sep 17/03) - A shortage of taxi cabs in Rankin Inlet has left some people with their patience meters running a little low.

The hamlet's taxi fleet has been cut in half during the past few months, with two of the four companies serving the community ceasing their operations.

With hour-long waits being the norm, Mayor Lorne Kusugak admits there was displeasure voiced to him during the recent Kivalliq mayors-and-SAOs meeting held in the community.

The problems caused by the taxi shortage are being felt mostly by people arriving at the airport, trying to make their flights on time, or coming and going from the local hotel.

"I want to stress that this is not an issue of current taxis not doing their jobs," says Kusugak.

"The problem we're experiencing right now is that there's not enough taxis to go around."

Kusugak says it's become a priority to get one or two more taxi services up and running to meet the demand.

Rankin Inlet bylaws allow four taxi companies to operate in the hamlet.

There are currently half that many in service.

Kusugak says the hamlet will soon be advertising the fact that there's two vacant taxi licences available in the hamlet.

He says council is hoping a number of people in the community will be interested enough to try and obtain a licence.

Council would then select the strongest one or two proposals from the interested parties.

Kusugak says the taxi shortage isn't affecting the community's elders that much, except when they want to go shopping while spending some quality time with their grandchildren.

Kids aren't allowed in the elders van.

"The problem is only going to escalate.

"The weather is still good enough for people to walk to and from work.

"But, once fall arrives, it will become an even more serious issue.

"Just look at the demand there is right now and that will show you what to expect in another month.

"Hopefully, we'll have the problem solved before the bad weather arrives and demand increases."