Crazy long lines for taxis at YVR Airport are a growing problem (PHOTOS)
The lines for a taxi at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) are getting long, ridiculously long.
And this could not be a better litmus test of how the local taxi industry is fairing and a testament to why BC needs ride share.
These lines outside the terminal building can be so long that they wind around into queues of over 300 people waiting for an hour.
And if you are in this line, you may have shared your fury in an angry tweet to @YVRAirport to ask why this is acceptable.
But there is only so much the Vancouver Airport Authority can do, as this part of their reputation (and Vancouver’s collective reputation) to tourists is at the mercy of the taxi industry and the provincial government.
No one has patience for this. Not me or the cold children or the woman he just let cut the line. International arrivals at 10pm is not the time or place.
— BdblE (@MsYouDoYou) March 17, 2018
YVR is continuously rated as the best airport in North America (there should be no debate on this if you have visited other airports on the continent), and airport officials have made all the right moves for our economic benefit and ability to globe trot.
Except when regular people have to wait 45 minutes for a taxi. We need Uber here… can you do something about it?
— Austin Woodward (@VancityAustin) April 24, 2018
There are more flights than ever before that link Vancouver with important destinations around the world, and this will only grow in the coming years. On YVR’s part, terminal expansions and other improvements costing $9.1 billion are already underway to ensure supply meets demand.
However, the same cannot be said for the taxi industry, which has proven time and time again that it is unwilling to have supply meet the actual demand to support the city’s growing economy. Whether it be meeting the rising number of passengers at the airport and cruise ship terminal, an increase in the number of events in downtown, or just simply general population growth and the growing tech-oriented business community.
While the Canada Line is a growing alternative option, it simply does not have the capacity to take on the entire taxi shortfall serving the airport, especially passengers hauling multiple pieces of large luggage. And of course, transit may not be the most convenient way of getting around to certain areas of the Lower Mainland.
“YVR is experiencing record passenger growth and we are seeing an increased demand from our customers to provide additional ground transportation options,” YVR spokesperson Tess Messmer told Daily Hive.
“YVR supports any efforts to modernize and improve British Columbia’s transportation system if it is enacted in a way that creates a level playing field between the current taxi industry and new providers such as rideshare companies. In the meantime, we are working closely with the taxi industry to address the shortages we’re seeing at YVR.”
So if you need any more proof on why there needs a complete overhaul of the taxi industry and the implementation of rideshare, here is a selection of photo tweets from the last two years that express an indignation:
Welcome to Vancouver…
Typical @yvrairport taxi fiasco. 11 pm on Springbreak Sunday night and still no cabs. Same old ridiculous story. Shame @yvrairport.Where is @Uber in this great city? pic.twitter.com/Y0n31AHojE
— Lance Howitt (@lancehowitt) March 26, 2018
Tell me about it…
Crazy taxi line up @YVR! Makes a long day of travel even longer #YVR pic.twitter.com/OtpfifAxwW
— Kristi Miller (@MillerKristiL) May 4, 2018
Sometimes there is even a line to get into the actual line for a taxi.
There’s a huge line (not pictured) just get into the taxi line (pictured) at YVR. Good thing we don’t have Uber/Lyft tho pic.twitter.com/WOyZOeHTA9
— Mike Halford (@HalfordTSN) June 12, 2017
This is the lineup you have to wait in just to get into the second lineup for a taxi at YVR pic.twitter.com/2N1AybfpIb
— Mike Halford (@HalfordTSN) June 12, 2017
This is the line up for a cab on a weekday at 2pm at @yvrairport. But we don’t need a modern city service like @Uber in @CityofVancouver do we @jjhorgan @NDP? @charlesadler pic.twitter.com/wPzWzGIr4Y
— Sukh Sidhu (@Sukh_Sidhu_) July 11, 2018
Welcome to the 100 member club.
Overheard in the #YVR taxi lineup that’s at least 100 people long: ‘why the hell is #Uber in every big city except #Vancouver?’ pic.twitter.com/iTGKgWiYIn
— Ethan Faber (@ctvethanfaber) July 15, 2017
Over 100 + people in the taxi lineup at YVR tonight- is time for ride share in @CityofVancouver ? With sleepy kids, heavy bags and a 25 minute walk from sky train- transit is not an option. pic.twitter.com/NpzUkcD2tu
— Janet Moore (@janetmoo) July 16, 2018
What @bcndp delay on #ridesharing is leading to: Colleague arrives at #yvr 11pm last night – at least 100 people standing in line for taxi – 2 or 3 cabs every 5 minutes coming by to collect some people. This sends an embarrassing signal to the world. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/HkQS0zi7WN
— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) July 22, 2018
Welcome to the 300 member club.
About 300 people in line for a taxi @yvrairport. Where’s @Uber @jjhorgan @bcndp @VanMayorsOffice @MayorGregor ? pic.twitter.com/6S4bCoK3Ys
— pwbarron (@pwbarron) June 4, 2018
@yvrairport 300 people + waiting for a taxi ! And none here 🙁 pic.twitter.com/G68q5GzPyx
— Mark Urwin (@46southFishco) May 8, 2018
Welcome to the ‘night club’.
Lineup for taxis at YVR tonite at 11:30PM. pic.twitter.com/DQpx5O1PDQ
— theSearcher (@WaddellRube) July 20, 2018
Taxi lineup at #YVR at least 40 people deep. #Uber already, #Vancouver! pic.twitter.com/vprlLEL54z
— Renu Bakshi (@RenuBakshi) December 31, 2017
Came home from Hawaii to this line at 11:30pm. Some ppl were in shorts and freezing. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/jlbPtFIXtI
— Kirk (@kirkjong) December 31, 2017
@CityofVancouver when are you getting Uber!! Taxi line at YVR. pic.twitter.com/ev3RHcqUPS
— cate (@bar10daa) March 2, 2018
Talk about good governance (sarcasm) the taxi monopoly makes it hard for a working gal to get home ! No uber here in my new home #yvr 🙁 #linesforever pic.twitter.com/dQzVMeAABs
— michelle chan (@chanmichellec) July 16, 2018
Giant taxi line at YVR @yvrairport. Are you sure we don’t need @Uber in this city? pic.twitter.com/3MwhXkeBHC
— Chris Breikss (@chrisbreikss) February 5, 2017
Not a taxi in sight @yvrairport pic.twitter.com/wwSYjcNAWe
— Austin Woodward (@VancityAustin) November 10, 2017
Darn it, Vancouver.
Every time I arrive in Vancouver. No @Uber_Canada and no taxis. Long @yvrairport taxi lines and wait at 10:30 at night. Customers last in Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/TqWawEl43F
— Barry (@barry416) April 27, 2018
The taxi wait at @yvrairport is unbelievably terrible. Worst in North America. Just terrible. pic.twitter.com/F0iQvHCpm9
— Neil M (@neelmalik) October 21, 2017
10:20 PM at @yvrairport 75 passengers no cabs. Vancouver is great but it has Canada’s worst taxi service. Can’t wait till @Uber finally gets approved. pic.twitter.com/yo2rrTEAvS
— Rick Anderson (@RickAnderson) February 22, 2018
The taxi line at @yvrairport. Can we pls hurry up and get ride sharing already, BC?! #whyyyyy pic.twitter.com/UbIqqRsC3D
— Pippa Reed (@pippa_reed) June 24, 2018
From the same point of view…
Today’s Taxi line up at #yvr – good thing we have great transit to our airport as more sustainable option #transit pic.twitter.com/M7EiAhy7Bo
— Bruce Irvine (@UrbanIrvine) September 18, 2017
Hey @CityofVancouver can we please get @Uber or @lyft in #yvr. This taxi line up got me like 😒 pic.twitter.com/Sw63vwyx6t
— Kelsey_M (@Kels_M) December 27, 2017
Yesterday afternoon taxi line up at domestic arrival yvr, and the uber fight continues… pic.twitter.com/f7oD1XOFVr
— haleh (@haleh_sh) May 8, 2018
The great taxi service at @yvrairport – line is across the entire terminal without a car in sight. Where on earth is @Uber?! 😡 pic.twitter.com/ecPRerZXa0
— Chris Delanoy (@SkyHighYYC) June 16, 2018
Rain or shine, I love being back in Vancouver… although trying to catch a cab at @yvrairport can be frustrating. pic.twitter.com/fiPrq0gLfg
— Tony Lee (@psi888) June 16, 2017
Dear @yvrairport what’s with the taxi cue?? #longline #waittoolong pic.twitter.com/V0gWXyuCDh
— Louise A. DeGagné (@studio_8b) July 17, 2018
Oh, it’s night again… from the same point of view.
You know you’re back in @CityofVancouver when it’s cold, rainy, and not a single cab at @yvrairport #WhatAJoke pic.twitter.com/jikCDSKsaE
— Reid Robinson (@HootReid) March 6, 2017
@yvrairport you need to improve dispatch of cabs to domestic arrivals at night! Everytime I arrive I wait so long in ridiculous cab lines! pic.twitter.com/j0sHMjeFSW
— Julie pe (@Juliepe13) July 10, 2017
@CityofVancouver you’re really telling me this city doesn’t need @Uber and @lyft? Currently in a 30 person lineup at @yvrairport and not a single cab in sight. Seriously let’s get with the times. #bcpoli #uber @CTVVancouver @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/ta21Umdrd4
— Kristina Herder (@rondosa) June 29, 2018
Sorry, very sorry.
Taxi line up at YVR domestic terminal. Unreal…#YVR #Uber pic.twitter.com/gHppfTi05F
— Hilary Antonson (@Hils0621) June 22, 2018
Sometimes there’s even a long line with zero taxis.
Typical scene at the #yvr taxi stand….. #bc4uber pic.twitter.com/kPLPqM8d1O
— Susie Heath (@SusieAMHeath) August 8, 2017
The taxi lineup at #yvr this morning. Not one in sight. And some ppl still say we don’t need #uber or #lyft? @CityofVancouver @yvrairport pic.twitter.com/v88Rtwh4ZS
— FactsRFacts (@squamish_watch) November 3, 2017
Taxi companies in Vancouver fight @Uber but can’t provide enough cabs at @yvrairport pic.twitter.com/fjasTz51Ut
— Ric Mazereeuw (@rmaz) September 18, 2016
Not a single taxi at @yvrairport. And @bcndp doesn’t understand how badly we need @uber. This province is fucked! pic.twitter.com/CQHWQ5GJxV
— Brian Webb (@br_webb) April 8, 2018
Oh wait, now there’s one taxi!
This is why Vancouver needs Uber. Back-up at YVR, 20min wait for a taxi. @CityofVancouver @Uber pic.twitter.com/Ufwm3AU4jF
— Kerri Farrell (@Kerrilynn81) May 7, 2018
Vancouver YVR has no uber and only one taxi. One insane line up to get a cab. pic.twitter.com/GD4SXh7YV3
— Dom Caruso (@domcaruso) May 24, 2018
Congratulations, you made it to the front of the line end of these tweets.
See also
- Opinion: The BC NDP government has no genuine intentions to introduce ride share
- BC government further delaying rideshare launch until fall of 2019
- BC Green Party ‘incredibly disappointed’ with continued rideshare delays
- 'We are literally the only place that doesn't have it': Uber releases video targeting Vancouverites
- Coquitlam Mayor helps elderly woman who was forced to wait 3 hours for a taxi
- MADD Canada calls on BC government to immediately allow ridesharing
- Vancouver International Airport embarks on $9.1-billion expansion
- YVR, the fastest growing airport in North America, is doing all the right things
- Vancouver International Airport will see 31 million passengers per year by 2022