Taxi companies claim the rules set out by the Passenger Transportation Board to regulate ride-hailing are unfair

Cab companies are challenging the rules that will allow ride-hailing to come into B.C., in court

Several taxi companies appear to have not given up their fight to keep companies like Uber and Lyft out of B.C.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As companies like Uber and Lyft start applying to enter the B.C. market, Vancouver taxi companies appear to be making a last-ditch effort to keep ride-hailing out of the province.

Several taxi companies are asking the Supreme Court of B.C. to quash Passenger Transportation Board rules that will allow ride-hailing companies to hit the road.

The taxi companies are arguing the current rules will give ride-hailing companies an unfair advantage.

Some of the more controversial regulations set out by the Passenger Transportation Board include allowing ride-hailing companies to have unlimited drivers on the road, as well as giving these companies larger regional boundaries than what taxi drivers have to follow.

Vancouver taxi companies appear to be making a last-ditch effort to keep ride-hailing out of the province. Several taxi companies are asking the Supreme Court of BC to quash Passenger Transportation Board rules that will allow ride-hailing companies to hit BC roads. — Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) September 5, 2019

Taxis have had a monopoly for too long, commuters say

Meantime, frustrated with limited and expensive transportation options, commuters in Vancouver say taxi companies should stop resisting ride-hailing’s imminent entrance into B.C.

Speaking to people at the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station, commuters tell NEWS 1130 it’s time for competition, not a court fight.

While some agree that new rules would give ride-hailing companies an unfair advantage, many say they’re desperate for more ways to get around and simply don’t care.

“It doesn’t make a difference to me,” one man says, while another adds ride-hailing companies should be allowed to operate in B.C., regardless of the rules.

“When people are trying to get somewhere, they’re hailing cabs, they don’t get them and wind up walking,” another commuter explains.

More competition appears to be key for many of the commuters NEWS 1130 caught up with.

“We need someone to compete with transit, and the taxis,” a transit user says.

Another adds, “maybe the taxis should do something more.”

However, there is some support for the taxi industry’s push to have the Passenger Transportation Board’s rule reviewed.

“I think fair is fair, and I’d probably say that yeah, if the cab companies are limited, than Uber should be limited,” one woman says.

Concerns raised

The court challenge comes as Transportation Minister Claire Trevena airs her own concerns with the rules set by the Passenger Transportation Board, writing in a letter to the independent body that she’s worried about the impact ride-hailing rules will have on taxi drivers and overall traffic congestion, asking the board to review data on caps on fleet sizes for ride-hailing companies.

“As such, it is our government’s view that this decision should be reviewed in a timely way to ensure the viability of the taxi industry alongside (ride hailing) and that the taxi industry does not experience serious economic dislocation before a supply or cap decision occurs,” she writes, adding she’s heard from a number of Metro Vancouver mayors about their reservations regarding ride-hailing and congestion.

.@clairetrevena’s letter to #PTB Chair Catharine Read states it is not meant to be “taken as a general policy directive.” #bcpoli #ridehailing pic.twitter.com/8aVvyAF1vN — Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) September 5, 2019

“The issue of congestion is a concern our government shares, as we work to improve transportation for people in our province and reduce (greenhouse gases). I trust the impact of increased congestion will be monitored closely by the Board and will factor heavily into future decisions around fleet size limits,” Tevena’s letter reads.

The province has said ride-hailing will enter BC before the end of the year.

Lyft responds

In a statement, Lyft says it’s happy to work with the government when it comes to following regulations.

“We appreciate the Passenger Transportation Board’s independent, data-based decision-making process, which outlined regulations that do not include municipal boundaries and caps at this time,” the company says. “Artificially capping service would cause wait times and prices for passengers to increase, and reduce earning opportunities for drivers. It is clear that the current restrictions imposed on taxis, including caps and municipal boundaries, limit service when people need it the most and leave residents stranded.”

-With files from Liza Yuzda