Traffic passes through the “Y” intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe this week announced plans for its fixed-route bus service, which would run between Nikiski and Sterling. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Traffic passes through the “Y” intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe this week announced plans for its fixed-route bus service, which would run between Nikiski and Sterling. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenaitze announces plans for public bus route

Kahtnu Area Transit will offer service between Nikiski and Sterling

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe announced plans for its fixed-route bus service on the central peninsula this week, which should be fully operational by early next year.

Brandi Bell, who manages transportation for the tribe, said Tuesday that the bus service has been in the works since she took her position in 2017.

“It was pretty impressive to see the transportation need on the peninsula,” she said. “This has been a passion project of mine.”

Bell said the tribe implemented a door-to-door service to help members without consistent rides make appointments and run errands, but that wasn’t enough.

“We were still seeing that there were gaps in the services,” she said. Currently, two of the main alternatives to private transportation on the central peninsula include Alaska Cab and the Central Area Rural Transit System (CARTS).

The new fixed-route bus is called the Kahtnu Area Transit — Kahtnu meaning “Kenai River” in Dena’ina — and it will run between Nikiski and Sterling.

The initiative has been backed by the cities of Kenai and Soldotna, according to previous Clarion reporting. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe was awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Tribal Transit Competitive Program of the Federal Transit Administration for the Kahtnu Area Transit.

Bell said the tribe is still in the planning stages, and hasn’t worked with municipalities to determine the best places for bus stops along the route. Additionally, she said she and her team need to meet with a consultant to determine the prices of rides, but said that she expects bus fares to be a “low fee.”

The transit system should be up and running in early 2023, Bell said, and begin test runs this winter.

Both tribal members and nonmembers will have access to the service.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Food bank seeks turkey donations as Thanksgiving nears

The local food bank is calling for donations of $25 to “Adopt-A-Turkey” for a local family in need

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward budget hearing covers bed tax, wages, emergency medical services

The Seward City Council on Nov. 12 considered a series of legislative items connected to 2025 and 2026 budget

The results of ranked choice tabulation show Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, winning reelection in the race for Senate District D. (Screenshot/Gavel Alaska)
Bjorkman, Vance win reelection after tabulation of ranked choice ballots

An effort to repeal ranked choice voting and the open primary system was very narrowly defeated

Jacob Caldwell, chief executive officer of Kenai Aviation, stands at the Kenai Aviation desk at the Kenai Municipal Airport on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Aviation, Reeve Air submit proposals to bring air service back to Seward

Scheduled air service has been unavailable in Seward since 2002

Erosion damage to the southbound lane of Homer Spit Road is seen on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, following a storm event on Saturday in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
City, DOT work to repair storm damage to Spit road

A second storm event on Saturday affected nearly a mile of the southbound lane

Kenaitze Indian Tribe Education Director Kyle McFall speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Charter school proposed by Kenaitze Indian Tribe given approval by school board

The application will next be forwarded to the State Department of Education and Early Department

Suzanne Phillips, who formerly was a teacher at Aurora Borealis Charter School, speaks during a special meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Aurora Borealis charter renewal clears school board

The school is seeking routine renewal of its charter through the 2035-2036 school year

State House District 6 candidates Rep. Sarah Vance, Dawson Slaughter and Brent Johnson participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Saturday update: House District 6 race tightens slightly in new results

Neither incumbent Rep. Sarah Vance or challenger Brent Johnson have claimed 50% of votes in the race

A grader moves down 1st Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, during a snow storm on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Storm system to bring weekend snow to western Kenai Peninsula

Extended periods of light to moderate snow are expected Friday through Sunday morning

Most Read