Concerns about illegal ride-hailing services operating in the Lower Mainland — including in the Tri-Cities — has prompted the B.C. government to issue a warning and encourage people to only use approved companies.
The warnings say people put themselves in danger by riding with unlicensed operators, and that legitimate businesses that adhere to B.C. rules are safer because they have been subjected to a driving record check and a police screening.
Currently, there are 23 companies licensed to offer ride-hailing services in B.C., including several that can pick up passengers in the Lower Mainland.
The list and warnings come as Coquitlam RCMP work with city bylaw officers and provincial agencies to clamp down on illegal ride-hail services: On March 3, officers issued more than $1,600 in fines to three drivers; Burnaby RCMP did a similar check and slapped 17 drivers with $28,000 in fines.
Among those penalized were drivers who hadn’t completed their background check, and someone who was prohibited from driving, Coquitlam RCMP said.
Only ride-hail operators with a Transportation Network Service licence are allowed to pick up passengers; these services allow passengers to hire and pay for travel through a website or mobile app.
The warnings state that the drivers must be screened to have a Class 4 license — a requirement crucial to passenger safety — in an industry where sexual assaults are being reported worldwide.
“There are illegal ride-hail operators who have not screened their drivers according to these safety regulations and who do not have proper insurance in the event of an accident,” the warning states.
Here’s the list of approved services in the Lower Mainland as of March 4:
• Apt Rides
• Bonny’s Taxi
• Hich
• InOrbis
• Kabu
• Lucky to Go
• Lyft
• MDD
• Metro Rides
• Ripe Rides
• Tappcar
• Transroad Airport Shuttle
• Uber
• Vancouver Taxi
• Vancouver Taxi Handicapped Cabs
• Whistle
• Yellow Cab
And here’s how to hitch a ride safely using ride-hailing apps or websites:
• Book your trips through the company website or app
• Verify, before you enter, that the vehicle and driver identity match the information provided to you when you booked your trip
• Look for the company logo on the front or rear windshield of the vehicle
• Avoid from hailing from the street (it is illegal for a ride-hail driver to pick up a street-hailing passenger)
• Ensure the fares are stated before accepting a trip, and are paid for via credit card on the website or app as no cash transactions are allowed for ride-hail services
