A ride-hailing service company from eastern Canada that could've potentially operated in Prince George has officially been denied.
The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board announced today (Feb. 28) that URIDE's application to operate in the northern capital and other B.C. cities has been refused.
The company denied to operate in five regions in the province:
- Lower Mainland, Whistler
- Capital Regional District (CRD)
- Vancouver Island, excluding CRD
- Okanagan-Kootenays-Cariboo
- B.C. North Central and other regions of B.C.
"The decisions were made after a careful review of the extensive materials received during the application process which included supporting information provided by the applicants and submissions from interested members of the public and stakeholders," a news release reads.
URIDE's publication of application happened on Sept. 11, 2019, after being submitted on Sept. 4, 2019, with the first set of submissions due Sept. 26, 2019, and a second set required by Nov. 29, 2019.
In its ruling today, the board says URIDE was unfamiliar with many aspects of the passenger transportation business in B.C.
"The Board determined that Uride’s business plan fails to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the passenger transportation business in British Columbia generally, and of the Act, Regulation and the requirements under the NSC, specifically. Instead, its business plan focusses mainly on the company’s profile, marketing strategies, and sales," the decision reads.
"Although Uride has obtained an NSC certificate, the business plan contains no reference to the NSC requirements which must be followed by TNS drivers and vehicles. NSC obligations require the NSC certificate holder to be responsible for all vehicles and all drivers that operate under the certificate. The NSC certificate holder is also responsible for keeping all records for each vehicle and driver. Uride does not outline whether pre- or post-trip vehicle inspections will be conducted or how NSC requirements for drivers will be enforced. Uride has also failed to provide evidence regarding monitoring NSC inspection dates, vehicle mileage, and service records."
The board added URIDE didn't know enough of ICBC's role in the province.
"URide’s business plan also did not demonstrate knowledge of the role of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia in this province."
Submissions and representatives were the following companies:
- BC Federation of Labour (“BCFED”)
- BC Taxi Association (“BCTA”)
- Columbia Valley Taxi Ltd.
- Emerald Taxi Ltd.
- Kalum Kabs Ltd.
- Kami Cabs Ltd.
- Lyndon Enterprises Ltd.
- Mount 7 Taxi Ltd.
- Prince George Taxi Ltd.
- Salmon Arm Taxi (1978) Ltd.
- SBDS Enterprises Ltd.
- Williams Lake Taxi Ltd.
- Town Taxi (1987) Ltd.
- Yellow Cabs (Kamloops) Ltd.
- Syd’s Taxi (1984) Ltd.,
- Meadow Ridge Taxi Ltd.
- Alouette Transit
- Systems Ltd.
- Bel-Air Taxi (1982) Ltd.
- Coquitlam Taxi (1977) Ltd.
- Port Coquitlam Taxi Ltd.
- Delta Sunshine Taxi (1972) Ltd.
- Tsawwassen Taxi Ltd.
- Garden City Cabs of Richmond Ltd.
- Guildford Cab (1993) Ltd.
- Kimber Cabs Ltd.
- Royal City Taxi Ltd.
- Sunshine Cabs Ltd.
- White Rock-South Surrey Taxi Ltd.
- Surdell Kennedy Taxi Ltd.
- A.C. Taxi Ltd.
- Swiftsure Taxi Co. Ltd.
- Jatinder Singh Gill dba Oceanside Taxi Ltd.
- Comox Taxi Ltd.
- Duncan Taxi Ltd.
- Sunshine Coast Taxi Ltd.
- Yellow Cab Company Ltd.
- North Shore Taxi (1966) Ltd.
- Richmond Cabs Ltd.
- Bonny’s Taxi Ltd.
- Burnaby Select Metrotown Taxi Ltd.
- Queen City Taxi Ltd.
- Black Top Cabs Ltd.
- Vancouver Taxi Ltd.
- dba Handicapped Cab, MacLure’s Cabs (1984) Ltd.
The B.C. Transportation Board says it has received 35 ride-hailing applications to date and has issued 17 decisions including today's.
URIDE was originally launched in Thunder Bay, Ont. back in April of 2017.
They were also operating in five communities across Ontario as well as Manitoba.
