There will be no ride-sharing programs in BC before the end of the year, according to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena.
The NDP made it a campaign promise to bring ride-hailing companies, like Uber and Lyft, to the province during the election, but instead, have hired a consultant to gather recommendations for government as early as Spring 2018.
.@clairetrevena: Industry expert Dan Hara has been hired to study ride-hailing, 1st report expected for early 2018 | #bcpoli
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 16, 2017
Trevena says they’re looking for a ‘Made-In-BC’ system.
“We understand there is a public demand to see the service in place in BC sooner than later. We will be having meaningful discussions that take into account the exceptionally complex regulatory and legislative framework, and how we can best accommodate the existing industry.”
She says the government has even looked at driver systems across BC to see what’s needed the most, adding the goal to ensure driver and passenger safety.
“We got to look at what’s happening in Prince George, in Campbell River, and in Quesnel; we got to look right around the province about how the taxi industry looks because the people want to see the next step whether there is room for ride-sharing or anything else.”
.@clairetrevena: Knows taxi industry wants to be heard in a respectful way, recommendations will focus on changes | #bcpoli
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 16, 2017
Trevena emphasized how ride-sharing needs to be approached in a sensible way, not political.
She could not confirm a timeline on when legislation would be brought forward for debate in Victoria.
.@clairetrevena: $165,000 will be spent to hire a private consultant in looking for ride-hailing recommendations | #bcpoli
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 16, 2017