It has been a bumpy road for ride hailing which was originally promised by the Provincial government for the end of 2017. But as reported in Metro News the all-party committee of the legislature looking at ride hailing unanimously supported going forward with the online services, making 32 recommendations for ensuring “fairness, consumer protection and workers rights”.
The committee recommended updating legislation that regulates the taxi industry to “allow for equitable and fair competition.””Protecting specific types of business for the traditional taxi industry, such as street-hailing and taxi stands, should also be considered.” Regulations will be established that will examine “pricing, insurance, licensing, and public safety”
And what about insurance for ride-hailing cars and their customers? The committee has recommended that ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) develop specific insurance packages with appropriate liability levels that reflect the fact that rideshare vehicles are being used for personal and commercial purposes. Drivers will be required to have medical exams and criminal background checks, and vehicles will have to undergo mandatory inspections based upon mileage driven.
There is a rideshare coalition with Lyft, Uber, Vancouver Board of Trade, B.C. Business Council, Vancouver Economic Commission, B.C. Chamber of Commerce, Urban Development Institute, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Finger Food Studios and the B.C. Restaurant and Food services Association.The Minister of Transportation Claire Trevena says the new legislation will be introduced in the Fall of 2018.
You can read the whole report produced by the committee of the legislature here.
