Central Kenai Peninsula residents and visitors will soon have a new option for reliable, affordable transportation.
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is launching Kahtnu Area Transit, a fixed-route bus service between Nikiski and Sterling. Kahtnu is the Dena’ina word for the Kenai River.
“Access to reliable transportation is one of the biggest drivers of quality of life on the central Kenai Peninsula. Reliable transportation improves access not just to the Tribe’s services, but also employment, education, essential life activities such as grocery shopping, and healthy social opportunities,” said Brandi Bell, Elders and Transportation Manager. “The Tribe is excited to provide this new service to the area.”
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe was awarded a $1.1 million Federal Transit Administration Tribal Transit Program grant to pilot the project. The Kenai Peninsula Borough, City of Kenai and City of Soldotna have all expressed support for the project.
Kahtnu Area Transit service will start with one bus traveling between Nikiski and Sterling. The Tribe is working with other local governments to identify safe locations for bus stops. Kahtnu Area Transit is expected to be fully operational in 2023.
Bus service will be open to the general public. It is the Tribe’s vision that Kahtnu Area Transit fill in gaps in the area’s transportation network and complement existing transportation services, such as CARTS and Alaska Cab.
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is federally recognized as a sovereign, independent nation under the Indian Reorganization Act as amended for Alaska. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,800 tribal members who live across the Kenai Peninsula and beyond.
For more information, please contact Brandi Bell, Elders and Transportation Manager, at 907-335-7280.
