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Victoria to update ride-hailing policies with Uber’s arrival imminent

Fees, drop-off rules and required data sharing to be covered in modernized bylaws
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Victoria is looking to update its bylaws that deal with taxis and ride-hailing services as Uber is set to roll out in the city. (Black Press Media file photo)

Proposed amendments are on the way for Victoria’s business bylaws in preparation for more ride-hailing apps and services expected hit the capital’s streets soon.

The updated regulation is a response to the province legalizing ride-hailing in 2019 and the last council asking for the city to prepare regulations for those new services.

Individuals and companies operating commercial passenger vehicles – like ones offering ride-hailing, taxis or limousines – require a passenger transportation licence issued by the province’s Passenger Transportation Board.

Victoria currently has three licenced taxi companies with 385 vehicles and one ride-hailing business with 16 drivers. The latter could change as the transportation board approved Uber’s application to operate in Victoria earlier this month. In a May 10 statement, the company said it expects to launch soon and would provide more details in the coming days.

The city said it doesn’t have the authority to prohibit vehicles from operating but is allowed to issue business licences and make some regulations. The transportation board also sets requirements for drivers, including annual criminal and driver checks, vehicle standards and being at least 19 years old.

The city’s current business licence bylaw requires a $100 licence for each company and a $140 licence for each operator, and that would be kept the same for ride-hailing vehicles and companies. However, the city is also proposing to install a capped licence fee structure, which would incentivize companies to keep fleet numbers below certain amounts to save on licencing. Staff said that was done with taxi operators in mind, but would also create a more equitable local industry.

Some councillors on May 18 said more ride-hailing options would help get people downtown while giving patrons and workers a safe way to get home, while others worried about concerns from taxi companies and the impact on the city’s goals to get more people using the bus or active transportation.

The city also proposes to set business licence rates of $0 and $30 for wheelchair-accessible and electric vehicles, respectively.

The transportation board requires companies to provide comprehensive vehicle and trip data and Victoria is proposing to require monthly access to trip data. The city said trip data is key to seeing the impact on mode share, traffic congestion and the need for pick-up or drop-off zones.

The city also looks to let ride-hailing vehicles use metered parking spaces for up to two minutes to drop off or pick up passengers, which is already the policy for taxis. Once the city has analyzed its own ride-hailing data, it may lead to changes – like ride-hailers getting to use taxi stands or expanding other specialized parking zones.

Staff will report back if any overall changes are needed and will do so should a single company approaches 200 vehicle licenses in order for council to revisit the fee structure.

READ: Tap of a button: Uber approved to launch in Victoria, Kelowna


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Jake Romphf

About the Author: Jake Romphf

In early 2021, I made the move from the Great Lakes to Greater Victoria with the aim of experiencing more of the country I report on.
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