News release: B.C. Government spinning its wheels on ridesharing
For Immediate Release
July 19, 2018
B.C. Government spinning its wheels on ridesharing
GVBOT releases revised ridesharing and taxi modernization report, responds to Hara Report
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is disappointed by today’s announcement that British Columbia will not introduce ridesharing services until Fall 2019 at the earliest.
In February 2016, the GVBOT issued a report entitled Innovative Transportation Options for Metro Vancouver, which thoroughly outlined specific steps that the provincial government could take to immediately begin modernizing our traditional taxi industry while paving the way for ridesharing.
One year later, during the 2017 provincial election campaign, we were encouraged to hear all three major parties pledge to introduce ridesharing services by the end of 2017.
It is our organization’s firm view that today’s announcement is yet another unnecessary delay, which ultimately hurts local residents, our economy, and our reputation with international visitors.
“For years, our province has been spinning its wheels on ridesharing and the modernization of the taxi industry,” said Hon. Iain Black, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “Today’s announcement perpetuates the taxi monopoly while only partially addressing the underlying problems that the industry requires to be fixed, with no firm timelines in place. In the meantime, we continue to resist the inevitable adoption of 21st-century technology, to the ongoing embarrassment of Vancouver as an international city.”
Coinciding with today’s announcement, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has released a revision of our 2016 assessment of ridesharing in British Columbia. This revised report, Ridesharing and Taxi Modernization: An Achievable Balance, outlines how ridesharing has been successfully adopted in jurisdictions across Canada while also balancing the needs of the traditional taxi industry.
Our revised report reiterates the Board of Trade’s recommendations to government on how to move forward, as were first outlined in February 2016.
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is a proud founding member of the Ridesharing Now coalition, formed in February 2018.
Read our full report at boardoftrade.com/ridesharing.
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About the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:
Since its inception in 1887, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Pacific Canada's leading business association, engaging members to impact public policy at all levels of government and to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one-third of B.C.'s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities, and providing professional development through four unique Signature Programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events programs in the country, providing a platform for national and international thought leaders to enlighten B.C.'s business leaders.
Media contact:
Greg Hoekstra
Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com