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Most will call it long overdue, but Uber and Lyft can now legally operate in British Columbia.
Today, the Passenger Transportation Board of BC approved both companies’ application to operate in the Lower Mainland and Whistler.
It’s not known when the popular ride hailing companies will expand their service to the rest of the province.
Another pair of companies, ReRyde Technologies Inc. and Kater Technologies Inc. were looking to fill that void, but their applications to operate throughout BC were declined.
Despite today’s decision, Lower Mainland and Whistler residents won’t be seeing Uber and Lyft vehicles popping up immediately, as there’s still work to be done.
“Next steps for the approved applicants after receiving licences from the Registrar are to secure appropriate motor vehicle insurance and to work with municipalities in their operating areas to ensure compliance with local bylaws,” says a release from the PTBBC.
The PTBBC continues to work through the 29 ride hailing applications it’s received so far, as decisions have only been issued on six of them.
Transportation minister Claire Trevena said that the provincial government wanted to ensure that the proper measurements were in place so that BC's ride-hailing services would comply with the highest of safety standards.
"Our government is committed to work with both the ride-hail and taxi industries to address outstanding areas in the coming months and futures issues as they arise," she said.
"We will continue to support a passenger transportation industry that gets people safely where they need to go and ensures sustainable livelihoods for drivers."
Anyone who wants to drive for Uber, Lyft or any other ride-hailing company in BC will need a class four license.
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