The association is asking for approval to be put on hold pending judicial review

The taxi association is arguing the decision to approve ride-hailing failed to consider the economic impact

VANCOUVER — A Metro Vancouver taxi driver says he’s been losing about 100 dollars a day since ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft hit the road less than two weeks ago.

Kulwant Sahota, who is also the president of Yellow Cab, says his future is at stake and he fears it could get worse if the B.C. Supreme Court doesn’t approve an application to put the ride-hailing company licences on hold pending a judicial review of their approval.

“I’m very fearful, obviously one of the biggest things we have–especially with Uber and Lyft–the limit they have for pricing is $3.35 They don’t have to charge a penny more. Us, as individuals, how do we compete with that?”

On Tuesday, a lawyer for members of the Vancouver Taxi Association argued that an uneven playing field was used by the independent Passenger Transportation Board to allow the operation of ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft in the region.

David Penner says the board failed to adequately consider the economic impact of the decision and didn’t give the taxi companies the opportunity for a meaningful response.

The group of taxi companies, which includes most members of the association, is asking the B.C. Supreme Court to stay approvals granted by the board to Uber and Lyft, pending a judicial review of those decisions.

Lyft lawyer Roy Millen accused the taxi association of bringing the issue to court simply because it disagreed with the board’s decision.

While Uber lawyer Michael Feder says arguments that ride-hailing companies have decimated taxi industries in other jurisdictions are wrong.

Justice Veronica Jackson will deliver her decision Thursday.