The licence has support from Surrey's mayor, but he hasn't said if he will change his stance on ride-hailing in the city

Council is encouraging municipalities to adopt the bylaw that provides clear rules for ride-hailing

The Mayors' Council has endorsed an inter-municipal business licence for ride-hailing

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The Mayors’ Council has released the details of the regional ride-hailing licence so drivers can operate beyond Vancouver.

The council is encouraging municipalities to adopt a bylaw that provides a single set of requirements with clear rules for drivers and companies.Now, ride-hailing companies, like Uber and Lyft, can apply for one business licence that applies throughout the region.

Metro Vancouver Mayors support interim inter-municipal business licence bylaw for ride-hailing companies that want to operate in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Squamish-Lillooet regional districts. The bylaw still needs to be adopted by each separate municipality. #bcpoli — Lasia Kretzel (@lkretzel1130) January 31, 2020

Despite tension building between Surrey’s mayor and Uber, Doug McCallum supports the licence, though, with conditions.

“I have not budged from my position that a level playing field must be in place for ride-hailing and taxi companies to compete in. My fight is about ensuring fair competition in a highly regulated industry,” he says, but acknowledges the province is making some progress on two concerns.

“That’s the insurance and the accessibility, and they do need to be worked out a little more,” McCallum says. He adds he expects regional taxi boundaries to be completely removed and fleet caps for ride-hailing to make sure too many cars aren’t on the road at the same time.

McCallum notes fees introduced by the council are close to what taxi drivers pay to operate. However, in Surrey, per vehicle rates are approximately $400. He’s willing to bring that down to ensure fair competition, but at a cost of $150,000 a year for taxpayers.

#SurreyBC mayor Doug McCallum now explaining why he now supports regional licence framework for #ridehailing. He says the focus for him has always been to create a level playing field for taxi operators. He says today’s plan must still be approved by city council. @NEWS1130 — Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) January 31, 2020



It could still take two to three months to finalize the framework, according to McCallum.

The council is also encouraging municipalities to harmonize current fees for taxis with those set out by the new licence. Similarly, it also asks the Passenger Transportation Board to bring balance to the competition between ride-hailing companies and the taxi industry.

“The framework that has been developed gives cities a say in managing our roadways while keeping the application process simple and reasonable,” says Jonathan Coté , Mayors’ Council chair. “The industry has the potential to improve transportation options in our region, if we take steps to properly manage it.”

He says it has to go to every municipality for individual approval but expects most will support it within a month. The licence includes paying a $155 annual per company fee, and an additional $150 charge per vehicle. That fee will be waived for wheelchair-accessible vehicles or cost $30 for zero-emission cars.

With files from Marcella Bernardo and Martin MacMahon