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New bus service connects the central Kenai Peninsula

Published 2:00 am Monday, January 5, 2026

A Kahtnu Area Transit bus leaves the Transit Center building located at the corner of the Kenai Spur Highway and Marathon Road in Kenai, Alaska. The new service connects Nikiski, Kenai, Soldotna and Sterling. Photo courtesy Kahtnu Area Transit.
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A Kahtnu Area Transit bus leaves the Transit Center building located at the corner of the Kenai Spur Highway and Marathon Road in Kenai, Alaska. The new service connects Nikiski, Kenai, Soldotna and Sterling. Photo courtesy Kahtnu Area Transit.

A Kahtnu Area Transit bus leaves the Transit Center building located at the corner of the Kenai Spur Highway and Marathon Road in Kenai, Alaska. The new service connects Nikiski, Kenai, Soldotna and Sterling. Photo courtesy Kahtnu Area Transit.
A Kahtnu Area Transit bus leaves the Transit Center building located at the corner of the Kenai Spur Highway and Marathon Road in Kenai, Alaska. The new service connects Nikiski, Kenai, Soldotna and Sterling. Photo courtesy Kahtnu Area Transit.

For communities across the central Kenai Peninsula, reliable transportation has always been a significant barrier to essential services, employment opportunities and social connection.

To address this critical need, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe has launched the Kahtnu Area Transit service, a new bus system that provides 10 bus stops between Nikiski and Sterling.

This project began with a $1.1 million grant from The Federal Transit Administration; a second grant has now allowed them to work towards launching a second route, four buses and more stops by early 2026.

The buses run Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., connecting community members to key locations such as the North Peninsula Recreation Center, Soldotna Library, Central Peninsula Hospital and more.

“Due to how spread out our communities are, transportation has always been the main identified barrier for people to access things like employment opportunities, essential services, life activities and church,” says Brandi Bell, Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Transportation Manager.

In addition, “many residents don’t have the resources for conventional services like cabs,” Bell explains.

Following feedback from community meetings, locations and pricing were set with an eye to affordability and fairness. Fares are $5 for a single trip, $10 for a day pass and $100 for a monthly unlimited ride pass.

Discounted fares are available for youth, elders, Medicare card holders and veterans. Riders can purchase bus passes at the Transit Center located at 10288 Kenai Spur Hwy.

The impact of the bus service is seen not just in mobility and reliability, but in connection.

“It’s what happens at the end of the ride, that connection to life, community and resources. Not having access to reliable transportation limits every aspect of your life,” Bell says.

The community response has been overwhelmingly positive. The community is very excited and engaged with the bus launch.

“Members are also identifying where they would like to see more bus stops, and businesses are also reaching out to have us consider their location as a bus stop,” Bell says.

Looking ahead, the tribe hopes to expand their routes further and increase bus stop frequency. “We can only grow from here and we’re excited for what the future holds,” Bell says.

For more information on the Kahtnu Area Transit or to view the entire bus schedule, visit kahtnutransit.com.

Learn more about services provided by the Kenaitze Indian Tribe at kenaitze.org.