Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Lyft Will Launch Ride-Hailing In Vancouver Before The End Of The Year

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Aug, 2019 04:45 PM

    VANCOUVER - Ride-hailing company Lyft says it plans to be operating in Vancouver before the end of this year.

     

    The Passenger Transportation Board in B.C. has yet to unveil its final ride-hailing regulations, but a statement from Lyft says the company is confident its operations will begin in the Lower Mainland sometime this fall.

     

    The B.C. Transportation Ministry has set Sept. 3 as the date ride-hailing companies can apply to enter the market, while rules covering fares and the number of vehicles permitted for each ride-booking service are expected by the end of the summer.

     

    Peter Lukomskyj has been named as Lyft's first general manager in B.C., and says the company hopes to expand throughout the province, especially into areas where additional transportation options are most needed.

     

    But he says, given the number of Class 4 commercially-licensed drivers required to sustain the ride-hailing network, the company's immediate focus is the Lower Mainland.

     

    Lukomskyj says Lyft remains concerned there may not be enough drivers with commercial licences to allow it to expand beyond the region.

     

    Lyft's plans for ride-hailing services outside Vancouver are expected to be announced closer to its Lower Mainland launch.

     

    "We are still quite concerned about the requirement for drivers to have commercial licences as it will negatively impact driver supply and restrict the regions in which we are able to operate," Lukomskyj says in an emailed statement.

     

    Class 4 licence holders include taxi, limousine and ambulance drivers. They must be at least 19 years old with a minimum of two years of non-learner experience and fewer than four penalty points over the preceding two years.

     

    Numerous organizations in B.C., including the craft brewers guild, epilepsy society and the province's gaming and restaurant associations have called for ride-hailing.

     

    Lyft already operates in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area between Hamilton and Oshawa.

    In the U.S., the company says its ride-hailing app is available to 95 per cent of the population.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Canadian Wage Growth Hits Fastest Pace Since 2009, But Economy Sheds Jobs

    Canadian Wage Growth Hits Fastest Pace Since 2009, But Economy Sheds Jobs
    OTTAWA - Wage growth accelerated last month to its fastest clip in more than decade, according to numbers released Friday from Statistics Canada.

    Canadian Wage Growth Hits Fastest Pace Since 2009, But Economy Sheds Jobs

    B.C. Man Detained In Syria Last Year Freed After Lebanese Mediation

    BEIRUT - A British Columbia man detained in Syria since late last year has been released, Lebanese authorities said Friday.

    B.C. Man Detained In Syria Last Year Freed After Lebanese Mediation

    Ex-brothers-in-Law Battle Over Habs Season Tickets Spills Into Courtroom

    Ex-brothers-in-Law Battle Over Habs Season Tickets Spills Into Courtroom
    The ruling this month by Justice Jeffrey Edwards framed the case as determining the true value of Habs tickets and the prejudice that arises from being deprived of them.    

    Ex-brothers-in-Law Battle Over Habs Season Tickets Spills Into Courtroom

    Riding Debates On Environment Moved To Oct. 3 After Conflict With Official Event

    GreenPAC, a non-partisan organization dedicated to electing environmentalist candidates, is helping to organize candidates' debates in 117 ridings.

    Riding Debates On Environment Moved To Oct. 3 After Conflict With Official Event

    B.C. Applauds Federal Government For Modernizing Drug Pricing Regulations

    B.C. Applauds Federal Government For Modernizing Drug Pricing Regulations
    Established in 1987, the PMPRB is a consumer protection agency and an independent, quasi-judicial body that monitors and regulates drug pricing in Canada. 

    B.C. Applauds Federal Government For Modernizing Drug Pricing Regulations

    Third Urgent And Primary Care Centre Opens In Greater Vancouver

    People living on the North Shore will soon have better access to team-based everyday health care with the opening of the new North Vancouver Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

    Third Urgent And Primary Care Centre Opens In Greater Vancouver