There鈥檚 uber confusion over Uber operating in parts of 性视界传媒 Friday, despite Mayor McCallum vowing to deny such ride-hailing companies business licences here.
Uber launched its operation in Metro Vancouver on Jan. 24, with North 性视界传媒 included in its .
Matt MacInnis, vice president of corporate communications for Uber, told the Now-Leader that pick-ups and drop-offs were available in parts of 性视界传媒. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 as of 8 a.m. this morning,鈥� he said Friday. 鈥淧ick-up can happen anywhere within the shaded area of the map.鈥�
Stephanie Sedlak, of Uber policy and communications, echoed that.
鈥淭he app was live as of 8 a.m. this morning, if you look at the service map, we are servicing parts of 性视界传媒 right now,鈥� she told the Now-Leader on Friday morning.
性视界传媒 Mayor Doug McCallum has voiced vehement opposition to ride hailing in 性视界传媒, claiming it鈥檚 unfair to local taxi drivers. City Hall issued this statement Friday, after the Now-Leader sought his response to the latest developments.
鈥淭he approval of ride hailing companies in Metro Vancouver by the Passenger Transportation Board does not change my position on this issue,鈥� McCallum stated in the press release. 鈥淲hat continues to be my chief concern is the unfair advantage that has been created without any regard as to how it will impact those who are employed in the taxi industry. It is no secret that a large percentage of cab drivers live in 性视界传媒 and the modest wages they earn go to support their families. As residents and as my constituents, it is my duty to do what I can to ensure that these jobs are not lost due to an unfair advantage that has been arbitrarily put in place.鈥�
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McCallum argues that the taxi industry 鈥渕eets the needs of all its passengers by having vehicles for hire that can accommodate people of all abilities.
鈥淯ntil I am assured that a level playing field is established, I will not be supporting the issuing of ride hailing business licenses and, if there is a need, I will be asking for an increase in taxi licenses for operation in 性视界传媒,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 look forward to hearing about how the region will work with the province to ensure there is fair competition in the marketplace between ride hailing companies and the taxi industry.鈥�
Meantime, MacInnis said that 鈥渨hen it comes to business licences, there is a inter-municipality business licence process that the mayor鈥檚 council is going through now, and Uber is participating in the process.鈥�
A Lyft press release issued by public relations company Citizen Relations indicated on Friday that there 鈥渁re currently three driver hubs located in 性视界传媒, Richmond and the City of Vancouver.鈥�
Laurie Fletcher, a senior account executive with Citizen Relations, said Lyft is not operating in 性视界传媒 yet; however, we will be continuing to expand the operating area.
鈥淲e do have a hub there (in 性视界传媒),鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut we aren鈥檛 operating it there yet.鈥�
鈥淚 can鈥檛 comment on the exact time,鈥� she added. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have an official time frame.鈥�
性视界传媒 Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman, who has been a vocal advocate of ride hailing in 性视界传媒, said the board is pleased with Lyft and Uber being approved to operate in the Lower Mainland and Whistler.
鈥溞允咏绱� needs ridesharing,鈥� she said. 鈥溞允咏绱� needs more transit and transportation options. We hope all local government decision makers see the need for this in 性视界传媒.鈥�
tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com
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