The holiday season may be here but the world’s biggest ridesharing company, Uber, remains shut out of Victoria, despite years of trying.
That’s because Uber is still waiting for a green light from B.C.’s Passenger Transportation Board, an independent tribunal in British Columbia whose primary responsibility is to make decisions on applications relating to passenger-directed vehicle authorizations within the province, to operate in Victoria.
Last December, the PTB rejected Uber’s application to expand into Victoria, saying that while the company is fit and capable of operating, its proposed expansion would harm existing rideshare and taxi companies attempting to recover from the pandemic.
In August, Uber reapplied to the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) to operate in Victoria and Kelowna but instead of for a new licence, it applied for a licence transfer from another rideshare company to operate in both communities.
The company has been recruiting drivers in the Victoria region even though it’s unclear when the PTB will make a decision on their application.
In a statement to CHEK News, Uber said that they would have liked to have been operating in Victoria for the holidays, but can’t because of the PTB.
“We would have liked to have Uber available in Victoria and Kelowna in time for the busy holiday season in December when there is a strong need for safe and reliable rides. However, we first need a decision from the PTB, which we hope will be positive.”
With files from Mackenzie Read
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Mary Griffin
