MADD Canada calls on BC government to immediately allow ridesharing
Calling it “a key tool for improving safety,” the regional director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tracy Crawford called on the BC government to implement ridesharing services in the province – as soon as physically possible.
“Further delays cannot be justified,” she said. “Ridesharing legislation should be implemented this fall and not delayed another year.”
She added that with the impending legalization of cannabis set to happen this fall, “more than ever British Columbians need a ridesharing option.”
Crawford was joined by Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, who assisted a woman on Canada Day, after she had been waiting three hours outside for cab.
He called the lack of rideshare in Metro Vancouver a “serious” safety issue.
“The existing supply-managed taxi monopoly doesn’t work during times of peak demand, when impaired driving is a serious concern, along with other public safety challenges,’ he said. “Simply adding a few more taxis will not solve the problem. We need a system without supply caps and boundaries to ensure that the suburbs and all of Vancouver gets the service it needs. Ridesharing would address that.”
Transportation Minister Claire Trevena announced last week that legislation for ridesharing would be introduced in fall 2018, but applications would wait until fall 2019.
The BC Government had previously promised ridesharing would be available for consumers by the end of 2017, and then subsequently promised the end of 2018.
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