Close X
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
ADVT 
National

Uber Says It May Not Operate Outside Of Metro Vancouver Over Driver Shortage

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Jul, 2019 08:27 PM

    VANCOUVER - A spokesman for Uber says the company may not operate outside of Metro Vancouver if it can't get enough qualified drivers with a commercial licence in keeping with ride-hailing regulations set by the B.C. government.

     

    Michael van Hemmen says the company's decision to launch will also be based on policies finalized in mid-August by the Passenger Transportation Board on issues such as flexible pricing and boundaries.

     

    The province has said ride-hailing drivers must have a Class 4 licence, like those held by taxi drivers, as opposed to the standard Class 5 licence held by most motorists in the province.

     

    Applications from companies such as Uber and Lyft will be accepted as of Sept. 3 but van Hemmen says the onerous requirements may mean the company will find it difficult to do business.

     

    The company already operates in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Alberta, and van Hemmen says the latter province also requires a commercial licence for ride-hailing drivers, as does New York City, the only jurisdiction in the United States with that regulation.

     

    Uber says in a statement that while B.C. cites the requirement of a medical exam as providing additional passenger safety for Class 4 licence holders, medical practitioners are already required to inform the province's auto insurer if a patient has a condition that would impair driving.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Evidence Erased By Police Would Have Freed Wrongfully Convicted Man: Defence Lawyer

    Evidence Erased By Police Would Have Freed Wrongfully Convicted Man: Defence Lawyer
    A defence lawyer who fought to free Glen Assoun from a wrongful murder conviction says evidence erased by the Mounties would have helped him win his appeal.    

    Evidence Erased By Police Would Have Freed Wrongfully Convicted Man: Defence Lawyer

    Canadian Is Detained In China On Drug Allegations: Chinese Government

    China's foreign ministry says the recent detention of a Canadian citizen by Chinese authorities is linked to drug allegations against foreign teachers.    

    Canadian Is Detained In China On Drug Allegations: Chinese Government

    Updated Air Passenger Rights Protections Come Into Effect Monday

    Updated Air Passenger Rights Protections Come Into Effect Monday
    Airlines now have to reimburse passengers for flight bumping and damaged luggage as part of a package of new protections that took effect today.

    Updated Air Passenger Rights Protections Come Into Effect Monday

    Teams From India, Croatia, Canada Set To Wow Fireworks Fans In Vancouver

    Vancouver's 29th annual fireworks extravaganza is set to showcase the pyrotechnical skills of India, Croatia and Canada as the three countries light up the sky this summer.

    Teams From India, Croatia, Canada Set To Wow Fireworks Fans In Vancouver

    Second-Degree Murder Charge Laid Against Surrey, B.C., Man In February Slaying

    Second-Degree Murder Charge Laid Against Surrey, B.C., Man In February Slaying
    A statement from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 26-year-old Pee Lee Pi of Surrey was arrested July 12 and charged with the second-degree murder of 68-year-old Tee Bor.

    Second-Degree Murder Charge Laid Against Surrey, B.C., Man In February Slaying

    Tories Ask CSIS To Probe Ex-ambassador's Comments About Advice To China

    OTTAWA - Conservative MPs want Canada's intelligence agency to probe whether a former Canadian ambassador is encouraging China to interfere in the upcoming federal election.    

    Tories Ask CSIS To Probe Ex-ambassador's Comments About Advice To China