WATCH: British Columbians will have to wait a little longer for ride-sharing services such as Uber, or Lyft. For the second day, the opposition Liberals hammered the NDP government over its ride-sharing policy. Mary Griffin reports.
The Liberal Opposition started on the NDP’s ride-sharing policy once again on Tuesday and didn’t let up.
“How can government possibly devise a strategy to bring ride-sharing to British Columbia without consulting the very companies that have experience providing these services around the world?” asked Liberal MLA Jordan Sturdy.
But Transportation Minister Claire Trevena didn’t waste any time fighting back.
“That side of the House, in government, had five years to deal with ride-share, to talk to the companies, to talk to taxis and come up with a solution,” she said.
On Monday, the province announced a $165,000 report to study ride-sharing. Trevena says the government wants to get it right, and take time to study the issue. “Let’s get this right, let’s get this understood, and then bring in ride-share,” Trevena said. “We are working, We are looking towards bringing in
“Let’s get this right, let’s get this understood, and then bring in ride-share,” Trevena said. “We are working, We are looking towards bringing in legislation about ride-share next year.
During the provincial election, both parties made promises on the issue. The NDP said they support the passing of new rules to introduce ride-sharing to B.C. in 2017. And the Liberals’ campaign promise would have Uber and Lyft operating by this Christmas.
On Thursday, Green Party leader Andrew Weaver will introduce, for the third time, a private members’ bill to get ride-sharing on B.C.’s roads faster.
Mary Griffin
