Uber Technologies Inc. says it’s recruiting drivers “from Nanaimo to Fort St. John and everywhere in between” as it plans an expansion outside B.C.’s major centre starting next year.
The ride-hailing service is currently only available in Victoria, Metro Vancouver and Kelowna, but received approval from the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board in May 2023 to operate across B.C.
While the app will be available across the province, rides will only be available where drivers actively sign up and go online to do trips, said Michael van Hemmen, Uber’s general manager of mobility, in a statement.
The expansion plan is being welcomed by the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Association president Ian Tostenson said ride-hailing services like Uber have contributed significantly to the industry by giving British Columbians the option of a sober ride home after a meal or night out.
He said it’s also been a “game-changer” for those working late-night hours in the hospitality sector, helping them get home safely after their shifts.
Tostenson said having Uber in smaller regions of B.C. will be a “welcome addition.”
MADD Canada CEO Steve Sullivan in a statement that ridesharing has been “vital” in the fight against impaired driving. “No matter how you get home, we are proud supporters of all rides that get you there safely.”
