Silu's Taxi has closed in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, after nearly six years. Owner Silu Autut announced the closure on 5 November on Facebook. In an interview with Nunatsiaq News, he put the decision down to the cost of keeping vehicles on the road.
"The breakdowns and the cost of maintenance kept adding up, especially with what the cost of living is nowadays, and the long hours do catch up at the end."
The service opened in February 2021, after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. He started it for the town, to make sure the town was taken care of, not just to make money.
Hours and winter work
The taxi ran every day from 8am, usually until at least 10pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays often until midnight. He described the winter runs in these words.
"Sometimes, in the cold winter months or in the rain, we would pick up people walking by with an amauti carrying their infants, just to get them out of the cold and home safe."
During the pandemic the business partnered with the Northern store and the Kissarvik Co-op to deliver groceries to residents in isolation. The Kivalliq Inuit Association hired the company to deliver gift cards door-to-door. It also partnered with Slap Shot Canteen to donate pizza to students and staff at Leo Ussak Elementary School to mark their last day of classes.
By January 2022, on his account, the business had grown to seven drivers and a mechanic.
What made the work too costly
Running a vehicle for more than 12 hours a day meant fuel, insurance, maintenance and repairs. In winter the vehicle had to stay running through the day, and fuel use was high. The company went through several vehicles, with multiple breakdowns in the past year. Without a hoist in the garage for some repairs, major rebuilds cost more. Reliable drivers were hard to keep, because the hours took a toll.
What remains
Rankin Inlet still has Rankin Taxi. Autut hopes that service continues, and he will offer help when it is needed. The response to the Facebook announcement has been kind.
"It is very hard to see some of the comments, as they relied heavily on the service we provided. I hope someone steps up soon, so there can be more reliable service out there all day and night."
He now plans to focus on his other businesses in the community: Silu's Shop, a small-engine repair business, and Angijut Ltd., an overland hauling company. His closing note to customers follows.
"We are so grateful for every person who called us, rode with us, and trusted us over the years. We will miss all of you, and we will miss being out there for you, day and night."