National

Ride-Hailing Not Coming To British Columbia Until Fall Of 2019

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Jul, 2018 01:05 PM

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government says it will ease into allowing ride-hailing services in the province, laying the groundwork for the new rides to enter the market as early as the fall of 2019.

In the meantime, Transport Minister Claire Trevena says it will increase the number of taxis on the streets to help people get a safe ride and allow for flexible fares for existing taxi firms that arrange rides using apps.

Do You Want Ride-Hailing Services Like Uber In Metro Vancouver And BC?
— Darpan Magazine (@darpanmagazine) July 19, 2018

Allowing services such as Uber and Lyft into the province by the end of 2017 was a promise by the NDP government during the last election, but Trevena would not commit to a new deadline during a news conference today.

Do You Want Ride-Hailing Services Like Uber In Metro Vancouver And BC?
Posted by Darpan Magazine on Thursday, 19 July 2018

This is what the NDP said about ridesharing before forming government. Reporters are asking about what the timeline is now; and are being told the legislation is coming this fall. No timeline. pic.twitter.com/GTOGRNs4DQ
— CTV Bhinder Sajan (@BhinderSajan) July 19, 2018

Ride-hailing companies have been lobbying to enter the B.C. market, and now the government says it expects applications from firms to be submitted to the Passenger Transportation Board by September 2019.

What confuses me is this. The government is more concerned about the safety of a passenger or driver in an Uber than they are the safety of someone waiting an hour for a cab on Granville at 1AM. #bcpoli
— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) July 19, 2018

Trevena's media scrum was very bizarre. She won't answer multiple questions about whether ride-hailing will be in BC by 2018. Doesn't repeat the exact sentence in the press release that says service by 'fall 2019'. #bcpoli
— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) July 19, 2018

The B.C. Liberals did not deliver ride-hailing. But they did have framework legislation that would have seen Uber and Lyft on the road in fall 2017. That included money for a new app for cab companies and getting rid of the regional cab designations. #bcpoli
— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) July 19, 2018

The government hired expert Dan Hara to consult with the industry and stakeholders and his report along with recommendations from an all-party legislative committee will be used to modernize the Passenger Transportation Act.

I can't remember the last time I've watched a minister spend 15 minutes standing in front of reporters ducking, dodging, sidestepping and refusing to repeat out loud what their own press release says. https://t.co/lG3rRgGgHh
— Rob Shaw (@robshaw_vansun) July 19, 2018

Hara's report says there should be 300 more cabs in Metro Vancouver and another 200 around the province.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

N.S. Gives $1.6 Million To Movie Starring Pattinson, Dafoe Filmed In Yarmouth

"The Lighthouse," directed by Robert Eggers, is a fantasy horror movie also starring Willem Dafoe.

N.S. Gives $1.6 Million To Movie Starring Pattinson, Dafoe Filmed In Yarmouth

Stray, Disabled Kitten Uses Lego Wheelchair To Scoot Around With Littermates

A stray kitten that was found in a New Brunswick barn with two broken legs is being given a second chance, thanks to a lot of care — and a Lego wheelchair.

Stray, Disabled Kitten Uses Lego Wheelchair To Scoot Around With Littermates

Wayne Millard Had Made Plans To Celebrate Girlfriend's Birthday Before Death, Trial Hears

The girlfriend of an aviation executive whose death was initially ruled a suicide told a murder trial her partner was making plans to celebrate her birthday in the days before he died.

Wayne Millard Had Made Plans To Celebrate Girlfriend's Birthday Before Death, Trial Hears

Ahmed Hussen Floats Ideas To Modernize Safe Third Country Agreement With U.S.

One idea he is floating is to use biometrics to allow border officials to better track the movements of individuals at official ports of entry to determine if they are eligible to make a refugee claim in Canada.

Ahmed Hussen Floats Ideas To Modernize Safe Third Country Agreement With U.S.

Bank Of Canada Keeps Key Interest Rate Target On Hold At 1.25 Per Cent

The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target on hold Wednesday, but hinted that rate hikes could be coming as it noted the Canadian economy was a little stronger than expected in the first quarter.