Ridesharing Now for BC’ responds to Transportation Network Report

‘Ridesharing Now for BC’ responds to report from Select Standing Committee

VANCOUVER – March 26, 2019 – The BC Chamber, as a member of the Ridesharing Now Coalition, would like to share the following statement in response to the report released today from the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations:

Ridesharing Now for BC is pleased the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations has delivered its final report on ridesharing.  Now that we have cleared this most recent hurdle to bring ridesharing to BC, we urge the government to adopt the key recommendations and move forward. Premier Horgan and Minister Trevena have committed to all British Columbians to allow ridesharing by the fall of 2019 and we are hopeful that this latest step allows them to keep this promise.

“Today’s report marks a major milestone in bringing ridesharing to the province by the Fall of 2019, as promised by the government,” said Ian Tostenson, spokesman for Ridesharing Now for BC. “We hear every day from business owners, employees, friends and associates that they want ridesharing that permits flexibility, affordability, part time employment opportunities, safer streets, and the ability to use this platform for both business growth and attracting and retaining employees. It is time to get ridesharing on the road by implementing the key recommendations and finalizing ridesharing auto-insurance.”

The coalition urges BC residents to ask the government to adopt the committee’s recommendations and bring ridesharing to BC now. https://ridesharingnow.com/act/

We are disappointed the BC government has already rejected the recommendation that would allow drivers to operate with Class 5 licenses. True ridesharing in BC is almost impossible if Class 4 licenses are required. 

Why We Need Class 5:  Ridesharing drivers use the same personal vehicle to rideshare that they use to drive every day. Requiring additional or different licensing will unnecessarily keep people from driving with ridesharing services and limit the number of drivers available to provide rides. Additionally, ridesharing drivers will already be required to pass annual criminal record and driver history checks (where Class 4 licencing only requires this every 5 years).

The majority of Lyft drivers drive part time – in Toronto, 91% drive fewer than 20 hours per week. Ridesharing drivers use the same personal vehicle to rideshare that they use to drive every day. This additional and onerous requirement will severely impact the number of drivers who will sign up to drive with Lyft, making it harder for riders to get a ride when they need one, similarly to what British Columbians already experience with the current taxi model.