Ride-hailing is coming to the Sunshine Coast.
The Passenger Transportation Board has approved an application from Sechelt-based Coastal Rides to offer ride-hailing in two regions of the province: Vancouver Island, excluding Greater Victoria, and the province鈥檚 north and other regions.
Coastal, owned by Ryan Staley, is the sixth ride-hailing firm approved by the board and expects to launch its service in the Sunshine Coast Regional District this spring, with expansion to Powell River within three years. The Island region overlaps into areas where Coastal will operate.
In its application, Coastal noted the Sunshine Coast faces unique challenges and opportunities as it is ferry dependent. The company hopes to make car-free visiting and living possible in the area.
The service intends to offer trips to Gibson, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, Egmont and the sa国际传媒 Ferries terminals at Earl鈥檚 Cove and Langdale. Initially, the company expects to have five drivers operating with the intention of expanding to as many as 30 in the first three years.
Staley graduated from the University of Calgary and Royal Roads University, having studied transportation science in Alberta and tourism management in Victoria. He has worked with Destination sa国际传媒 since 2014 and remains a researcher for the provincial marketing organization.
The Passenger Transportation Board rejected five applicants on Friday, four of which had intended to operate on Vancouver Island. Port Coquitlam鈥檚 Robert Braithwaite was rejected for a number of reasons, including a lack of detail on his online booking platform and how he intended to expand his Wine Lovers Tours.
Surrey-based My Limousine Ride Services Ltd., which intended to provide on-demand transportation services through existing commercial passenger vehicles in all regions, was turned down because its business model was not consistent with the Passenger Transportation Act.
Ontario-based Uride, which also intended to operate all over the province, was turned down for several reasons including a business plan that failed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the passenger transportation business in sa国际传媒, the role of ICBC and its management team鈥檚 capabilities.
Another Ontario firm, RideON, was rejected because the board felt the company had not demonstrated it would be able to provide the service it proposed.
Vancouver鈥檚 Ryde Today, another company that intended to use existing taxis and limousines in the Lower Mainland, was told its business model was not consistent with the act.
The board approved Kabu this month, the first ride-hailing company that plans to operate in Victoria. It intends to launch within a few months. Before that, the board approved Uber and Lyft to operate in the Lower Mainland and Whistler. In December, the board approved an application from Tofino-based Green Coast to operate everywhere on Vancouver Island, except for the south Island, including Greater Victoria.
Green Coast, which will do business as Whistle and WhistleRide, was the first company approved to offer ride-hailing in sa国际传媒
