Mission & Governance
Authority · Purpose · Jurisdiction
IQ Transit Authority provides safe, reliable, and professional transportation services to the community of Iqaluit. Safety, respect, and accountability guide all operations.
Safety
Safety takes absolute priority over schedule at all times — no exceptions.
Respect
Every passenger and community member deserves dignity and courteous service.
Accountability
Drivers are responsible for their vehicle, passengers, and all required documentation.
Legal & Regulatory Compliance
📄 Licensing Requirements
- Valid Class License — required
- Air Brake Certification (if applicable)
- Clean Driver Abstract — updated annually
🚫 Zero Tolerance
- Zero tolerance for impaired operation
- No drugs or alcohol while on duty
- No mobile phone use while driving
Driver Qualification Standards
Age & License
Minimum age and licensing compliance required
Background Check
Background screening as required by policy
90-Day Probation
New drivers evaluated during full 90-day period
Ride-Along Eval
Mandatory supervised ride-along before solo operation
Safety Management
SMS · Inspections · Reporting
Safety takes priority over schedule at ALL times. Pre-trip and post-trip inspections are mandatory every single shift — no exceptions.
Strict Prohibitions
- ❌ Mobile phone use while driving
- ❌ Operating while fatigued or unfit
- ❌ Exceeding passenger capacity
- ❌ No seatbelt
Required at All Times
- ✅ Seatbelt worn
- ✅ Immediate incident reporting
- ✅ Pre & post trip inspection
- ✅ Near-miss reporting
Fatigue Management
- 💤 Min. 8 hrs rest before shift
- 🌙 No overnight employment before AM shift
- 🔔 Report fatigue to management
- 📋 Disclose secondary employment
Defect Classification System
Minor Defect
Does not immediately affect safety. Document and report. Bus may continue service with supervisor approval.
Major Defect
Affects performance but not immediately dangerous. Requires prompt repair. Supervisor must be notified immediately.
Out of Service
Bus must NOT operate. Pull out of service immediately. Do not resume until cleared by management.
Arctic & Winter Operations
Iqaluit-Specific Protocols · Extreme Cold · Whiteout
If visibility becomes unsafe, pull over SAFELY, engage hazard lights, and do not continue until conditions improve. Passenger safety always over schedule.
Extreme Cold Procedures
- Extended engine warm-up before departure
- Verify heater and defrost systems functioning
- Check tire pressure (drops in extreme cold)
- Confirm fuel level — never run low in cold
Winter Driving Rules
- Reduce speed in snow, ice or whiteout
- Increase following distance significantly
- Pull over safely if visibility is unsafe
- Carry winter emergency kit at all times
Winter Emergency Kit — Required Contents
Flashlight & extra batteries
Warm blankets & thermal gear
Basic tools & jumper cables
First aid kit
Daily Inspection Forms
Pre-Trip · Post-Trip · Handoff Checklist
🌅 Pre-Trip Inspection
Complete before every departure
- Engine oil level checked
- Coolant level checked
- No fluid leaks under bus
- Tires — pressure & condition
- Brake lights & turn signals working
- Headlights & high beams working
- Hazard lights working
- Mirrors adjusted
- Windshield clean & crack-free
- Wipers & washer fluid working
- Horn working
- Dashboard warning lights — all clear
- Heater functioning
- Fire extinguisher present
- First aid kit present
- Interior clean & seats secure
- Doors opening & closing properly
🌆 Post-Trip Inspection
Complete after every shift
- Bus parked safely & brake engaged
- Engine shutdown properly
- Fuel level recorded
- Interior cleaned (garbage removed)
- Lost & found checked
- Exterior damage check
- Mileage recorded
- Maintenance issues reported
- Keys returned to designated location
🔄 12:30 PM Handoff Checklist
Outgoing driver must complete before transfer
- Fuel level checked and recorded
- Mileage recorded
- Dashboard warning lights checked
- Mechanical concerns noted
- Interior cleaned
- Lost & found checked
- Incident report completed (if applicable)
Passenger Service Standards
Community · Conduct · Accessibility
Greeting Standard
Courteous greeting required for every boarding passenger. Set a welcoming tone for the community.
Accessibility
Provide full assistance for mobility-restricted passengers. Patience and care are required at all times.
De-Escalation
De-escalation training is mandatory. Never argue with passengers. Document disruptive behavior.
✅ Always Required
- ✅ Respect for Elders, youth, and all community members
- ✅ Professional attire at all times
- ✅ Confidentiality of passenger matters
- ✅ Incident documentation for disruptive behavior
- ✅ Professional language at all times
🚫 Never Permitted
- ❌ Arguments with passengers
- ❌ Harassment or discrimination
- ❌ Sharing passenger information
- ❌ Unauthorized passengers in driver area
- ❌ Personal errands during service hours
Emergency & Incident Protocol
Accident · Fire · Medical · Breakdown
An incident report must be submitted before the end of your shift for every incident — no exceptions.
Accident
- Secure the scene immediately
- Call emergency services
- Notify IQ Transit authority immediately
- Document everything — photos, witnesses
- Submit incident report before shift end
Breakdown
- Move to a safe location if possible
- Activate hazard lights immediately
- Report to operations
- Keep passengers calm and safe
- Do not attempt unauthorized repairs
Fire on Board
- Evacuate ALL passengers immediately
- Move passengers away from vehicle
- Use fire extinguisher ONLY if safe to do so
- Call emergency services — 911
- Do not re-enter burning vehicle
Medical Emergency
- Call emergency services IMMEDIATELY — 911
- Pull over safely if driving
- Access first aid kit
- Stay calm and assist until help arrives
- Notify management immediately after
Driver Schedule
Shifts · Handoff · Responsibilities
Morning Shift
6:00 AM – 12:30 PM
6.5 Hours
Shift Handoff
12:30 PM
Checklist required both drivers
Afternoon Shift
12:30 PM – 7:00 PM
6.5 Hours
Drivers must arrive 10 minutes before shift start. Absences must be reported at least 2 hours before shift. The driver who signs for a shift assumes FULL operational responsibility.
Fare Policy
Rates · Payment · Collection Rules
No fares collected during the 4-week soft launch. Standard pricing takes effect at conclusion. South Route: Mon–Fri, 7–11 AM and 3:30–7 PM.
💳 Accepted Payment Methods
⚠️ Fare Collection Rules
- 💵 Exact fare required when paying cash
- 🚫 Monthly passes are non-transferable
- 🔍 Verify passes upon boarding
- 🚫 No fare negotiations permitted by drivers
Professional Conduct & Ethics
Appearance · Confidentiality · Policy
Drivers represent IQ Transit Authority at all times while on duty. Your behavior, appearance, and attitude reflect the organization and the community of Iqaluit.
Professional Appearance
Professional attire required at all times. Clean, appropriate clothing is a minimum standard.
Punctuality
Arrive 10 minutes before shift start. Punctuality is mandatory — lateness reflects on the entire service.
Confidentiality
No sharing of company operational details, passenger information, or company matters on social media.
Vehicle Operation Rules
✅ Required Behavior
- ✅ Operate only your assigned vehicle
- ✅ Fuel must stay above designated minimum
- ✅ Report all mechanical issues immediately
- ✅ Use only pre-approved charter routes
🚫 Prohibited Actions
- ❌ Unauthorized passengers in driver area
- ❌ Personal errands during service hours
- ❌ Posting company info on social media
- ❌ Secondary job without disclosure
Transportation Industry Restriction
Drivers employed by IQ Transit are NOT permitted to work for any other transportation or passenger service company while employed with IQ Transit. Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Prohibited Services
- ❌ Taxi companies
- ❌ School bus services
- ❌ Shuttle services
- ❌ Charter transportation companies
Ride-Share Banned
- ❌ Uber
- ❌ Lyft
- ❌ Any ride-share platform
- ❌ Any commercial passenger transport
Why This Policy Exists
- 🛡️ Driver safety & fatigue management
- 📅 Avoid scheduling conflicts
- 🏛️ Protect company operational interests
- ⚖️ Comply with safety standards
Performance & Discipline
Evaluation · Progressive Discipline · Probation
Progressive Discipline Steps
Serious safety violations, drug/alcohol impairment on duty, or major misconduct may result in immediate termination — bypassing all progressive steps.
90-Day Probation
New drivers are evaluated continuously during the 90-day probation period. Employment may be terminated at any time if standards are not met.
Quarterly Reviews
Performance evaluations occur every quarter. Standards include safety record, attendance, passenger feedback, and vehicle care.
Secondary Employment
Permitted if disclosed to management and does not affect fitness for duty — EXCEPT: working for any other transportation or passenger service company is strictly prohibited while employed with IQ Transit.
Pay & Hours Policy
Guaranteed Pay · Overtime · Charter
Guaranteed Weekly Pay
40 hrs
Regardless of shift length
Daily Shift Length
6.5 hrs
Per scheduled shift
Overtime Threshold
>40 hrs
Per Nunavut Labour Standards
Scheduled driving time, operational standby time, bus preparation duties, administrative tasks, and inspection duties as assigned by management.
Charter & Rental Assignments
📋 Charter Requirements
- ✅ Charter bookings authorized by management ONLY
- ✅ Additional inspection required before charter
- ✅ Professional presentation required
- ✅ Accurate time logs for billing integrity
🕐 Rental Hours
- 📊 Rental hours count toward weekly total
- 💵 Overtime applies if weekly hours exceed 40
- 🔔 Standby drivers must remain reachable
- ✅ Overtime must be pre-approved
Training Completion Checklist
Review · Confirm · Sign Off
Check each item below as you confirm understanding. Share completion with your supervisor for sign-off.
📚 Policy Knowledge
- I understand the IQ Transit mission and values
- I know my licensing and certification requirements
- I understand the zero-tolerance drug & alcohol policy
- I know the fatigue management requirements
- I understand the confidentiality policy
- I know the secondary employment disclosure rules
- I understand I cannot work for any other transport or passenger service company while employed at IQ Transit
🔍 Inspection & Safety
- I can complete a full pre-trip inspection
- I can complete a full post-trip inspection
- I know how to classify defects (Minor/Major/OOS)
- I understand the 12:30 PM handoff checklist
- I know the emergency winter kit contents
🚨 Emergency Procedures
- I know the accident response protocol
- I know the breakdown procedure
- I know the fire evacuation protocol
- I know the medical emergency procedure
- I know when and how to submit incident reports
💳 Fares & Schedule
- I know the adult, elder, and child fare rates
- I understand accepted payment methods
- I know the soft launch dates and free fare period
- I understand my shift hours and attendance rules
- I understand the 40-hour pay guarantee
Training Completion
Upon completing all modules, present this checklist to your supervisor for sign-off and return your signed Driver Acknowledgment form.
Checklist items completed
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