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REPULSE BAY - The E Taxi company in Repulse Bay has added a second vehicle to help serve the community better.

Paul Angutetuar, 41, moved to Repulse from Rankin Inlet about four years ago.

Dispatcher Eddie Sivanertok answers a call for a cab at the E Taxi company in Repulse Bay earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Steven Kopak

Angutetuar said being above the Arctic Circle, it's always very cold in Repulse during the winter, and he was quick to notice there was no taxi service in the community.

He said people told him there used to a taxi many years ago, but it was long out of business.

"As I asked about a taxi service, people kept pushing me to get this thing happening," said Angutetuar.

"I started looking into it and was able to get enough people to sign a petition requesting a taxi service in Repulse.

"I had a proposal written and things worked out enough for me to be able to start the E Taxi company.

"I work some evenings and weekends with the taxi, and I employ one local person as a driver and another as a dispatcher."

Angutetuar also works with the Hamlet of Repulse Bay as a mechanic.

He said he owes a great deal of thanks to Pakak Sigurdson at Economic Development and Tourism for helping him launch his taxi company and for being able to acquire a second vehicle.

"I also need to thank David Fredlund at Kivalliq Partners in Development for believing in me," said Angutetuar.

"Without their help and trust in my being able to successfully run a taxi service, none of this would have been possible for me.

"And, of course, I also owe a huge thank you to the people of Repulse Bay for supporting me."

Angutetuar said Steven Kopak at the Repulse office of Economic Development and Tourism has also been a big help in making his company viable.

He said Perry Power put in a lot of work helping to write the initial proposal.

"Sometimes, in the North, you have a good idea, but you need other people to believe in you and help make it happen.

"Without the help of all these people, the E Taxi service in Repulse Bay would not exist, so I am very grateful for all their assistance.

"I picked that name because when Inuit answer yes to a question, they say 'E' and that's what I say, right away, when people call for a cab, so I thought it made for a good name for the company."