BC government not committing to ride-sharing services by this Christmas

Uber / Shutterstock

British Columbians who are holding out hope that this Christmas holiday season may include the ability to hail an Uber or Lyft, instead of cab, might have to wait a little longer.

Speaking to Global News recently, BC Premier John Horgan commented that he’s “had 10 months to work on it and I’m going to need a couple months more.”

The Premier added that the fact BC has a public auto insurer “makes us unique.”

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Premier’s office told Daily Hive the province is aware people want more options for getting around quickly, safely, and affordably.

“The Province remains committed to bringing in a safe, fair and accessible, ‘made in BC’ plan for taxis and other passenger directed vehicles in BC and will have more details to share later this year,” the spokesperson added.

The comments come in the wake of an Instagram post by TV host Jillian Harris, who took to social media recently to complain about the lack of ridesharing in Vancouver.

Known for HGTV Love it Or List it Vancouver, Harris said that she was kicked out of a cab recently.

“I can’t believe the amount of stories that I’m getting about cabs refusing people, cabs making people walk, cab drivers falling asleep,” she said on an Instagram story. “People saying cabs refuse people all the time so I know this has been going on for a long time.”

Harris continued saying if the government won’t allow Uber, there should be standards for the cab companies.

Harris, who said she didn’t want to “sound like a diva,” also said her recent taxi rides have been “stinky and so gross.”

Last spring, the province stated its support for “passing of new rules to introduce ridesharing to BC in 2017.”

However, in late fall, the new government tapped its brakes on the plan, citing the need for consultations with an industry expert that were set to take place this year.

At the time, the government said following the completion of the consultations, the province’s plan and timeline to bring ride-sharing services into the province would be delivered in 2018, “with legislative changes anticipated for the fall.”

For now, Vancouver remains the largest city in North America without a ride-hailing service.

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