Ride-hailing in Metro Vancouver: Uber, Lyft, Sidecar - emerging technologies

[Jimbo604]

Chance that Victoria and Kelowna might get ride hailing (Uber):

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/uber-drivers-victoria-kelowna-ridehailing-expansion

[Jimbo604]

https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news...5766308?twclid=28f5lf8dhejz3i19o0foslvkm

Uber hopes to be operating in Greater Victoria by Christmas

“The board is not convinced that there exists a public need for the service applied for,” it wrote in its decision in December. “Further, the board considers that the application, if granted at this time, would not promote sound economic conditions in the passenger transportation business in B.C.”

...

The board has approved six ride-hailing licences for Victoria. Only one has ever been in use — Lucky To Go, which continues to operate.

Uber said it took that point to heart, which is why it submitted an application to transfer one of the existing licences.

The only criteria involved in approving a licence transfer is whether the new operator is fit, proper and capable, something Uber has already demonstrated in getting its licence for the Lower Mainland, the company said.

Neither Uber nor the board would name the company whose licence would be transferred.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by Jimbo604

Uber hopes to be operating in Greater Victoria by Christmas....Neither Uber nor the board would name the company whose licence would be transferred.

That will be a grind -taxi service in/around greater Victoria is pretty good just a bit slow at peak times like weekend evenings and if rates are similar to Vancouver (almost always more expensive than regular taxis) locals will stay way in droves.

[Jimbo604]

Originally Posted by Jimbo604

https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news...5766308?twclid=28f5lf8dhejz3i19o0foslvkm

Uber hopes to be operating in Greater Victoria by Christmas

“The board is not convinced that there exists a public need for the service applied for,” it wrote in its decision in December. “Further, the board considers that the application, if granted at this time, would not promote sound economic conditions in the passenger transportation business in B.C.”

...

The board has approved six ride-hailing licences for Victoria. Only one has ever been in use — Lucky To Go, which continues to operate.

Uber said it took that point to heart, which is why it submitted an application to transfer one of the existing licences.

The only criteria involved in approving a licence transfer is whether the new operator is fit, proper and capable, something Uber has already demonstrated in getting its licence for the Lower Mainland, the company said.

Neither Uber nor the board would name the company whose licence would be transferred.

https://www.timescolonist.com/business/uber-still-waiting-for-ok-to-operate-in-victoria-6285228
Dec 22, 2022 Victoria Times Colonist

Still no Uber in Victoria. How long can PTB delay decision on license transfer that would allow Uber to start operating.

[Jimbo604]

At last...

Uber gets green light to start rolling in Kelowna and Victoria

By Kathy Michaels Global News
Posted May 10, 2023 3:19 pm
Updated May 10, 2023 4:09 pm

https://globalnews.ca/news/9688509/uber-...o-start-rolling-in-kelowna-and-victoria/

After being stuck for several seasons, Uber has finally been given the green light to roll out in Kelowna and Victoria.

The long-awaited decision was released in the Passenger Transportation Board’s weekly newsletter and followed up with a comment online by Uber on Wednesday.

In a brief statement, officials at the ride-hailing service said they would “launch soon” and that more information would be coming in the near future.

“Today the PTB announced their approval of our licence transfer application, which will enable the same safe affordable and reliable rides in Victoria and Kelowna that are currently available in the Lower Mainland and across 140 municipalities in Canada,” reads the statement.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Jimbo604

At last...

Uber gets green light to start rolling in Kelowna and Victoria

Perfect timing!

[svlt]

Originally Posted by Jimbo604

At last...

Uber gets green light to start rolling in Kelowna and Victoria

By Kathy Michaels Global News
Posted May 10, 2023 3:19 pm
Updated May 10, 2023 4:09 pm

https://globalnews.ca/news/9688509/uber-...o-start-rolling-in-kelowna-and-victoria/

After being stuck for several seasons, Uber has finally been given the green light to roll out in Kelowna and Victoria.

The long-awaited decision was released in the Passenger Transportation Board’s weekly newsletter and followed up with a comment online by Uber on Wednesday.

In a brief statement, officials at the ride-hailing service said they would “launch soon” and that more information would be coming in the near future.

“Today the PTB announced their approval of our licence transfer application, which will enable the same safe affordable and reliable rides in Victoria and Kelowna that are currently available in the Lower Mainland and across 140 municipalities in Canada,” reads the statement.

Support or not it was embarassing a city with the tourism industry and population of Victoria still didn't have it. Long overdue

[Jimbo604]

Uber set to roll out service in Victoria next week
By Andrew Duffy, Times Colonist | May 29, 2023, 4:00pm
https://biv.com/article/2023/05/uber-set-roll-out-service-victoria-next-week

"... Uber wouldn’t say which day it intends to launch in Victoria, only that it will be next week.

The launch will come about a month after the Passenger Transportation Board approved a licence transfer to permit Uberto operate in the region.

The independent tribunal, which considers applications for taxi, bus, limousine and ride-hailing services, agreed to allow the transfer to Uber of Richmond-based ReRyde ­Technologies’ operating licence for Victoria and Kelowna."

Kelowna soon too, we can assume??

Yay!

[svlt]

Originally Posted by Jimbo604

Uber set to roll out service in Victoria next week
By Andrew Duffy, Times Colonist | May 29, 2023, 4:00pm
https://biv.com/article/2023/05/uber-set-roll-out-service-victoria-next-week

"... Uber wouldn’t say which day it intends to launch in Victoria, only that it will be next week.

The launch will come about a month after the Passenger Transportation Board approved a licence transfer to permit Uberto operate in the region.

The independent tribunal, which considers applications for taxi, bus, limousine and ride-hailing services, agreed to allow the transfer to Uber of Richmond-based ReRyde ­Technologies’ operating licence for Victoria and Kelowna."

Kelowna soon too, we can assume??

Yay!

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/uber-launching-in-victoria-and-kelowna-next-week-1.6417906

Kelowna in early June.

[CanSpice]

Lower Mainland ride-hailing is going to be extended out to the District of Hope, the District of Kent, and the City of Mission sometime soon. Because it's all covered under an "inter-municipal business license", all of the municipalities that participate in the IMBL need to approve its expansion. New West approved their part of the expansion last night, I have no idea where the other 24 municipalities stand.

[Jimbo604]

Uber sets launch date for Victoria, Kelowna
CTV News - VANCOUVER ISLAND Published June 5, 2023 10:15 a.m. PDT
https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/uber-sets-launch-date-for-victoria-kelowna-1.6427829

"Ride-hailing giant Uber has finally announced its start date for two major B.C. cities.

Uber will begin operating in Victoria and Kelowna on Tuesday, June 6.

The service goes live at noon for riders and drivers.

Uber arrives in Victoria and Kelowna – as well as Chilliwack – following years of trying to break into the market.

Uber had applied several times to operate in these regions, but was denied by the B.C. Passenger Transportation Safety Board (PTB), which said there was not enough demand for the service, and that local taxi and ride-hailing companies needed more time to recover from the pandemic.

In 2022, Uber changed tactics and applied for a licence transfer from another ride-hailing company, Vancouver-based ReRyde, which had already been approved to operate in these areas.

The approval process for a licence transfer is much more lenient than approval of a new licence altogether, and on May 10 the PTB approved the licence transfer.

In its decision, the PTB said the licence transfer application received "significant interest" from local stakeholders, such as taxi companies and other ride-hailing operators.

Many argued against the licence transfer, saying that Uber was circumventing the PTB's previous decision, and that it couldn't make a proper business case since it was taking over the licence of a ride-hailing company that had yet to begin operating in Victoria and Kelowna.

Meanwhile, some submissions voiced support, such as Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada, which said that Uber provided another means of transportation for people who are impaired, and the Victoria International Airport, which said not enough transportation options were available in the city."

[whatnext]

DailyHive reporting Uber is going to expand to cover most of the Fraser Valley:

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/uber-ride-hailing-service-area-expansion-fraser-valley

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by whatnext

DailyHive reporting Uber is going to expand to cover most of the Fraser Valley:

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/uber-ride-hailing-service-area-expansion-fraser-valley

I wonder why they didn't expand the licence area to include Lions Bay as well.

[MIPS]

Sounds like the unions are trying to undermine the whole purpose of Uber.

'Shame on Uber': Metro Vancouver rideshare drivers go on 'strike' at YVR Airport

Over 100 Uber and Lyft drivers gathered Wednesday (Feb. 14) near Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to protest working conditions and wages for an international day of "strike" action on Valentine's Day.

In B.C. and across Canada, rideshare and food delivery drivers aren't considered employees and aren't part of a union. While they can't hold an official strike, many of them have "gone dark" on their respective apps. In some cases, they plan to stay offline for 24 hours, while others plan not to provide services during the YVR protest.

The strike is held under the banner: "No love for Uber/Lyft this Valentine's Day!"

Vancouverite Kuljeet Singh has worked as a gig driver for over four years and says drivers aren't guaranteed to make B.C.'s minimum hourly wage and may still be blocked from working if a customer complains.

...

Instead of being contract or "gig" workers, Uber and Lyft drivers want "employee status with a union." Currently, a driver could be on a 12-hour shift but might only work for three hours — and they won't be paid for the remaining time. This means they could end up making well below the minimum wage, Butt told V.I.A.

Drivers also say rideshare companies aren't transparent about what the customer pays for the trip.

"We want data shared with full transparency," he said.

Gig work includes paid work outside of traditional employment, including app-based ride-hailing and food-delivery work. These workers can typically set their hours.

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local...trike-vancouver-yvr-airport-2024-8306382

Global talked to one guy last night who complained he worked for 18 hours and got paid less than $200. My dude, you aren't obligated to work that 18 hours and you are only paid as long as someone's in the car. Go be a cabby. Uber isn't designed for the business model you want.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by MIPS

Global talked to one guy last night who complained he worked for 18 hours and got paid less than $200. My dude, you aren't obligated to work that 18 hours and you are only paid as long as someone's in the car. Go be a cabby. Uber isn't designed for the business model you want.

This is kind of the point, Uber's business model is designed to exploit workers (sorry, "independent contractors") as much as possible, and one shouldn't be surprised when the workers rise up and start demanding such radical things as minimum wage.

If I'm working at a gas station, I get paid whether or not there's a customer. If I'm an Uber driver waiting for customers to ask for rides, I should get paid whether or not there's a passenger in the car, because I'm still working for Uber while that app is open for requests.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Which Uber’s never going to do, since they’re still bleeding money to this day even with the crappy wages. Their business plan is basically “undercut the taxis by any means > become a monopoly > replace all drivers with AVs > jack up the rates > profit.”

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Which Uber’s never going to do, since they’re still bleeding money to this day even with the crappy wages. Their business plan is basically “undercut the taxis by any means > become a monopoly > replace all drivers with AVs > jack up the rates > profit.”

FYI Uber reported an annual profit yesterday.

Yes I'm shocked too.

Also, am I completely OOTL? Are taxi drivers on salary or hourly rates in Vancouver or something? Why are they constantly scamming for higher rates and driving like maniacs if that's the case?

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Which Uber’s never going to do, since they’re still bleeding money to this day even with the crappy wages. Their business plan is basically “undercut the taxis by any means > become a monopoly > replace all drivers with AVs > jack up the rates > profit.”

You are so full of it.

Uber is now a profitable, cash-generating machine
https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/01/uber-profitable-earnings-analysis/

Originally Posted by chowhou

FYI Uber reported an annual profit yesterday.

Yes I'm shocked too.

Also, am I completely OOTL? Are taxi drivers on salary or hourly rates in Vancouver or something? Why are they constantly scamming for higher rates and driving like maniacs if that's the case?

It feels like a get-rich-scheme. When it first started, consumers were impressed by the low rates when Uber was only trying to grab market share from taxi companies. However, Uber is getting very expensive now, especially during rush hours and for pre-book trips.

No sympathy for the drivers either. You can't get into an unproven gig economy expecting the very best when it comes to income. There are many risks. Uber work should only be a side job.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

This is kind of the point, Uber's business model is designed to exploit workers (sorry, "independent contractors") as much as possible, and one shouldn't be surprised when the workers rise up and start demanding such radical things as minimum wage.

If I'm working at a gas station, I get paid whether or not there's a customer. If I'm an Uber driver waiting for customers to ask for rides, I should get paid whether or not there's a passenger in the car, because I'm still working for Uber while that app is open for requests.

Hmm, I want to have an argument.

Do you believe that Subway franchisees should be getting paid an hourly wage from Subway? Uber's argument is that Uber drivers are independent contractors who are expected to provide their own startup capital (car) and a fee per trip in exchange for access to the services and branding of the big company. Subway franchisees are independent contractors who are expected to provide their own startup capital (storefront + franchise fee) and a fee per sandwich in exchange for access to the services and branding of the big company.

What's the difference?

[GMD]

Originally Posted by Vin

You are so full of it.


It feels like a get-rich-scheme. When it first started, consumers were impressed by the low rates when Uber was only trying to grab market share from taxi companies. However, Uber is getting very expensive now, especially during rush hours and for pre-book trips.

No sympathy for the drivers either. You can't get into an unproven gig economy expecting the very best when it comes to income. There are many risks. Uber work should only be a side job.

I don't really have anything to add to this, but it is so rare that I agree with Vin, I thought I should chime in

And although I don't have sympathy for the drivers, I don't mind them going on strike, or doing whatever they feel they need to do to improve their situation, more power to them.