Ride-hailing is finally making its way to B.C.
B.C. roads could see ride-hailing companies as early as Sept. 16 – when new licensing and insurance regulations take effect – according to the provincial government, who announced the regulations July 8.
Transportation companies, like Uber and Lyft, can send in their applications to operate to the Passenger Transportation Board starting Sept. 3. The board also decides the supply, boundaries and rates of commercial ride-hailing.
“Our plan has made it possible for ride-hailing companies to apply to enter the market this fall, with vehicles on the road later this year, while ensuring the safety of passengers and promoting accessibility options in the industry” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“British Columbians have been asking and waiting for these services after more than five years of delay by the former government. We took action to allow for the services people want and we’re delivering on that promise.”
However, the new regulations - according to Aaron Zifkin, managing director of Lyft Canada – will be tempered by the need for drivers to have a Class 4 licence.
Zifkin said that while the company is hopeful they will soon be able to bring their ride-sharing platform to B.C., Lyft currently doesn’t operate in any jurisdiction that requires driver’s to change their license.
“Requiring commercial Class 4 licences for drivers will not improve safety but will increase wait times and benefit the taxi industry,” said Zifkin.
The Richmond News reported last year how, despite the delay in ride-hailing coming to B.C., unregulated ride-sharing services have been in operation in Richmond and the Lower Mainland since 2017.
According to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and the BC Taxi Association, seven car-sharing businesses were currently operating in Metro Vancouver last summer, with at least five servicing Richmond, including GoKabu, which was verified by the ministry to be based in the city.
The ministry noted that the app being used by the firms is not illegal, however using it to provide ride-hailing services without a passenger transportation licence, is. This means the individual driver, not the company behind the service, will bear all legal responsibility if caught.
In July 2018 alone, the ministry issued 36 violation tickets ($1,150 each) — 24 of which were issued to Richmond drivers, who were caught operating without a passenger transportation licence.
Most of the apps operating in Richmond, such as Longmao, Udi Kuaiche, GoKabu and Racoon Go, are in the Chinese language.
