City working with Uber on new taxi regulations
But popular ride-sharing service has not applied for a licence to operate in B.C.

vancouversun.com
Oct. 15, 2015
By Matthew Robinson

City staff could have a plan for allowing on-demand car services within three months if Vancouver councillors approve a series of recommendations on improving taxi service.

San Francisco-based industry leader Uber participated in consultations with the city in the lead-up to a 21-recommendation staff report on taxis that goes to council next week, said Andreea Toma, a director of licensing with the city.

It may not sound like serious headway, but it is a glimmer of hope for Uber enthusiasts that the service - popular and controversial in similar measure - may one day be available in Vancouver.

“I have a very good relationship with the representative from Uber, and I think he’ll tell you it’s not that we’re not willing to move forward. We just want to do it smart,” Toma said.

Approvals for a service like Uber to operate in Vancouver involves players outside City Hall, she said.

 “It’s already been through the courts and tested in terms of the jurisdictional boundary between the City of Vancouver and the Passenger Transportation Board and the (provincial transportation) ministry. We have dual jurisdiction. So any vehicle for hire wouldn’t be able to operate unless they have both approvals.”

For that reason, Toma said it doesn’t make sense for the city to move ahead on its own if it wants to create a lasting solution. But Vancouver is not putting the brakes on “ridesharing,” as both Uber and the city’s report refer to the paid service.

“We want to come back to council with a plan (within) three months,” she said.

Staff at the Passenger Transportation Board did not respond to a request for comment late Thursday, but an email from the transportation ministry said any company like Uber would need to apply to the board for a licence or dispatch only licensed vehicles.

“Over the past several years, the ministry has had a number of discussions and meetings with, and about Uber to reiterate this point. At this time, Uber has not applied for a licence to operate in B.C.,” read the email.

“If they chose to do so, the same criteria would be used for them as it is for any other passenger service. While we are not against competition in the taxi industry, we need to ensure that all companies abide by the same rules and regulations to operate with safety of the passengers as a top priority.”

In the meantime, the recommendations slated to go before city council on Oct. 20 would put 38 more taxis on downtown streets during peak weekend hours, Toma said.

Mohan Kang, president of the B.C. Taxi Association, said the city’s plan will help meet the need for more taxis, particularly during busy periods.

“I think they are good recommendations,” said Kang, who represents cab companies outside Vancouver.

“We simply want city council to raise the cap on taxis.”

Among the recommendations to council are stiffer fines and stronger enforcement tools to crack down on the “high rate of unauthorized taxi pickups” in the city. According to one report cited by the city, between nine and 16 per cent of taxis picking up fares on Friday or Saturday nights are unlicensed suburban taxis.

When asked about illegal pickups, Kang agreed they do happen and are a problem.

“We don’t want that to happen...We are not in favour of that now and won’t be in favour of that in the future at all.”

The Vancouver Taxi Association did not respond to a request for comment.