Could you use a hovercraft to get back and forth to Fort Chipewyan each day? Though this seems unlikely it could be one of the various transit options being considered for the Transit Master Plan in Wood Buffalo. Several consultation sessions have been held to identify transportation choices which could help improve tourism, lower food costs, and give the community a faster way for people and goods to move from point A to point B. During these meetings one unusual idea was pitched by RMWB transit director Robert Kirby. The idea involves a few hovercraft placed on the Athabasca River could greatly improve the quality of life in the area. Unlike other communities reliable ferry services are not always a possibility due to the rough winter climate and the low water levels in the Athabasca River and delta.

Another important factor with transit options that can be included in the Transit Master Plan is that adding new rail infrastructure is not really financially feasible due to the high expense involved. Kirby says that none of these disadvantages apply to hovercraft. “I’m asking you to look at the concept not just for Fort Chipewyan, but the entire region and for a lot of industry sites that are by the river, but have no roads to them.” Often in the winter months the only option to travel to Fort Chipewyan is to take a plane, and this can be costly. There used to be a weekend passenger shuttle operated by Diversified Ltd. but that shuttle no longer operates.