Ride-hailing service Uber has started services in Victoria, Kelowna, and Chilliwack in British Columbia (BC) from June 6th.
In Victoria, Uber has been welcomed by the travel industry and the mayor of Victoria, and the airport is also looking forward to more transport options.
Uber will start service in Metro Vancouver in January 2020. In August 2020, it applied to operate in Victoria and Kelowna, but the BC government’s Passenger Transportation Board rejected it in December 2021. The reason was that it would have a negative impact on taxi companies, which are struggling due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
After that, Uber applied to transfer the license of another ride-hailing service company, and the business license was granted in May this year.
Concerns have been voiced by the taxi industry. Mohan Kang, president of the BC Taxi Association, told the CBC about inequalities in the transportation industry, including a minimum wage requirement for the taxi industry, which does not apply to Uber drivers.