By Greg Fry

Ride-sharing in B.C. delayed to 2019

Jul 19, 2018 | 12:27 PM

VANCOUVER — Though it’s already available in jurisdictions around the world, it will still be a while before government sanctioned ride-sharing is brought to B.C.

In a news conference in Vancouver this morning, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena said the government only plans to pass legislation laying the groundwork for the service this fall before the service is available by fall 2019.

This after the NDP had previously promised to bring in ride-sharing to B.C. by Christmas 2018.

“The government is preparing legislation for this fall session, which will further lay the groundwork for new transportation for new transportation companies to enter the market. I know that people are looking for expanded transportation options to be available very soon. And I want to reassure them that a lot of work is happening to get this accomplished but it’s important that we get this right.”

Once the legislation is passed, Trevena said the government will be relying on ICBC to make changes to enable a modern insurance product, which she noted would take some time. 

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Meantime, Trevena said her government will be adopting some key recommendations made by an all-party legislative committee in February.

Those include boosting the number of taxis in B.C. by 15 per cent and giving the taxi industry the flexibility to discount fares when trips are booked through an app.