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

With Baby In Tow, Karina Gould Back To Hill On Big Day For Electoral Reform Bill

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau adopted a new junior cabinet minister of sorts today as he welcomed the return of Karina Gould to his inner circle.

With Baby In Tow, Karina Gould Back To Hill On Big Day For Electoral Reform Bill

PCs, Liberals Aim Attacks At NDP As Polls Put Them At Same Support As PCs

Both the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals set their sights on the NDP on Tuesday as new polls suggest the party is tied for the most support in the Ontario election.

PCs, Liberals Aim Attacks At NDP As Polls Put Them At Same Support As PCs

How A 94-Year-Old Retiree Paul Russell Became A Gym Rat

Here's what makes him different: Russell is 94 — so old he has been retired longer than his personal trainer has been alive.

How A 94-Year-Old Retiree Paul Russell Became A Gym Rat

Rachel Notley To Skip Premiers Conference So She Can Focus On Pipeline Deal

There won't be any fireworks between the premiers of Alberta and British Columbia at the Western premiers conference this week, because Alberta Premier Rachel Notley isn't going.

Rachel Notley To Skip Premiers Conference So She Can Focus On Pipeline Deal

Man Facing Deportation From Canada Says Terror Accusation Resulted In PTSD

Othman Hamdan has told an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing that he was living a peaceful life in Fort St. John when he was arrested for allegedly calling for lone wolf attacks through Facebook.

Man Facing Deportation From Canada Says Terror Accusation Resulted In PTSD

Surrey Man Carleton Stevens, 37, Charged In Targeted Attack In East Vancouver

A witness to the double-shooting in Vancouver that caused one woman to lose her unborn child says she's relieved that police have made an arrest in the case.