VANCOUVER 鈥� Mayors in the Lower Mainland have reached an agreement on an interim business licence for ride-hailing companies that want to operate in the region.
Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum, who has previously resisted the idea, threw his support behind the interim licence, saying it takes a major step forward in addressing the 鈥渦nfair advantage鈥� ride-hailing companies have over taxi businesses.
The mayors鈥� council on regional transportation, made up of 23 mayors, endorsed the proposed bylaw covering Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Squamish-Lillooet on Thursday, with the details released publicly on Friday.
The council urged municipalities to begin adopting the interim bylaw as soon as possible, which would be in place until a permanent regional licence can be developed.
The proposed bylaw would establish a single set of requirements, charging ride-hailing companies a $155 annual fee plus $150 per vehicle, which would be waived for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The fee would be $30 for zero-emissions vehicles.
Vancouver is the only municipality with its own business licence for ride-hailing companies. It will administer the interim regional business licence.
New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote, chairman of the council, said: 鈥淭he framework that has been developed gives cities a say in managing our roadways while keeping the application process simple and reasonable. This industry has the potential to improve transportation options in our region, if we take steps to properly manage it.鈥�
The regional business licence would be required on top of provincial permits.
The council encouraged municipalities to harmonize current fees for cabs with fees set out in the regional business licence, while urging the provincial government to ensure fairness for the taxi industry by reviewing taxi boundaries, fleet caps and insurance requirements.
The sa国际传媒 Taxi Association said this week that it would stop subsidizing accessible vehicles because they are too expensive, and the mayors鈥� council said Friday that the province should ensure a mechanism is put in place to subsidize accessible cabs or ride-hailing vehicles.
The council requested a meeting with the province and Passenger Transportation Board to discuss the issues.
Unlike other jurisdictions in North America, sa国际传媒 has only recently allowed ride-hailing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, to operate. Taxi companies have started court action in an effort to revoke ride-hailing permits.
McCallum has been especially resistant, declaring that Uber is operating illegally in Surrey and threatening drivers with $500 tickets. The company responded by filing a court challenge to stop the city from issuing the fines.
The mayor said Friday he has not budged from his position that a level playing field must be in place for ride-hailing and taxi companies to compete.
鈥淭he [regional licence] approved by the mayors鈥� council levels the playing field and it has my support,鈥� he said.
鈥淏y having a single ride-hailing business licence for the region, this will eliminate duplication, confusion, and waste of time and money for both those issuing and seeking a licence.鈥�
sa国际传媒 Transportation Minister Claire Trevena said the approach by the mayors will eliminate 鈥渁 patchwork system across the Lower Mainland鈥� by allowing passengers to be picked up and dropped off between participating municipalities.
