B.C. legislature committee calls for no regulatory roadblocks to ride hailing

VICTORIA _ Premier John Horgan says ride-hailing will arrive in British Columbia this year following the release of an all-party committee report Tuesday that recommends few government restrictions on the services.

“We committed to get this done,” Horgan said at a news conference. “I am absolutely confident that ride-hailing will be here in 2019.”

The nine-member committee examining ride-hailing regulations for B.C. recommended a regulatory framework that places few requirements on boundaries, fares, numbers of vehicles and the licensing of drivers.

“In order to get true ride-hailing on the road for British Columbians … government can’t get in the way,” said Liberal Stephanie Cadieux, the deputy chairwoman of the committee on Crown corporations.

She said the committee is making the same recommendations to enable ride-hailing that the Liberals supported two years ago.

“We are hopeful, but not optimistic, the government will choose to accept these recommendations,” said Cadieux.

The New Democrats introduced legislation last year that aims to introduce ride-hailing later this year.

The government said its legislation will amend eight statutes and give the Passenger Transportation Board expanded powers to accept applications and set terms and conditions for licences covering taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.

Transportation Minister Claire Trevena said she will review the committee’s report, but indicated the government will require that drivers hold Class 4 licences despite the committee’s backing of Class 5 licences.

Most drivers in B.C. hold a Class 5 licence, but drivers of taxis, ambulances and small buses must hold Class 4 licences.