Majority of Metro Vancouverites want to limit ride-hailing vehicles on the road: survey

Oct 2 2019, 11:06 pm

As Metro Vancouver prepares to welcome ride-hailing companies, a new poll has found that a majority of residents would limit the number of ride-hailing cars on the road.

The online representative sample survey conducted by Vancouver-based Research Co. found that almost two-thirds of Metro Vancouverites (64%) think the provincial government should take measures to enact such limits.

As well, 75% of respondents said they believe BC should require ride-hailing drivers and taxi drivers to be paid a minimum wage, as well as benefits such as overtime and vacation pay.

And across Metro Vancouver, 42% of residents believe ride-hailing companies should be allowed to operate in British Columbia, if they compete on an equal footing with taxis, the poll found.

“Men (78%) and Metro Vancouverites aged 35-to-54 (76%) are more likely to call for ride-hailing policies similar to what the State of California is currently pondering,” said Research Co. President Mario Canseco.

“Residents who voted for any of the three major parties in the last provincial election are in agreement on this matter as well.”

In addition, the poll found that 71% of Metro Vancouverites think ride-hailing companies should devote 17% of their fleet to wheelchair accessible vehicles. Support for this measure is highest among women (72%) and residents aged 55 and over (80%).

A smaller proportion (39%) believe ride-hailing companies should be allowed to operate in British Columbia without reservations, while only 6% of Metro Vancouverites would ban ride-hailing in the province.

ADVERTISEMENT