A local ride-hailing service is recruiting drivers in Prince George to join its newly launched company.
Coastal Rides, which began offering local service in July, connects eligible drivers with people who need a ride through its smartphone app.
But to meet the demand for rides, the company needs more drivers to join its team.
“At this point, we don’t have enough drivers for constant service all the time. We’re looking to get another 10-15 drivers on board,” says Coastal Rides founder Ryan Staley.
“This is a great opportunity for people who are looking for full-time or casual work to help us provide great service in Prince George as well as allowing us to expand and great a service that can connect communities.”
Staley was inspired to start Coastal Rides to provide people with a more convenient and modern way to get around. Coastal Rides is a B.C. company, which started on the Sunshine Coast and expanded to Prince George in response to community interest in ride-hailing.
All Coastal Rides drivers must comply with the regulations set out by Transportation British Columbia for ride-hailing services. These include holding a class 1, 2, or 4 driver's license, possessing a vehicle 10 years old or newer, and passing criminal and driving background checks.
“We need people who are good with people, are safety conscious and can get through the requisite safety checks,” Staley says.
“Our customers have been super happy with the service they’re getting with the drivers we have now.”
Drivers earn 70-75% of the fares paid by customers and keep 100% of tips. Coastal Rides also offers access to a benefits program including extended health, cell phone plans and discounted fuel.
“We’re continually tweaking the platform we work with and how we compensate drivers to make sure we put as much money into the pockets of drivers as we can,” Staley says.
Driving for Coastal Rides also allows for as much or little flexibility as a driver wants. Whether drivers are looking for an evening and weekend gig, or a full-time role, the company can accommodate all schedules. Being a friendly and safe driver is the most important criteria.
“If you’re interested in providing a great service for the community with great customer service and really taking care of people, that’s the kind of people we want,” Staley says.
To encourage drivers to sign up, Coastal Rides is offering a $200 signup bonus to help with start-up costs, paid out after the first $1,000 in passenger fares.
To learn more about Coastal Rides and find out how to become a driver, visit its website at www.coastalrides.ca/drive-with-us.
