VANCOUVER — A spokesman for Uber says the company might not operate outside Metro Vancouver if it can’t get enough qualified drivers with a commercial licence in keeping with ride-hailing regulations set by the B.C. government.
Michael van Hemmen said the company’s decision to launch will also be based on policies finalized in mid-August by the Passenger Transportation Board on issues such as flexible pricing and boundaries. The province has said ride-hailing drivers must have a Class 4 licence, similar to those held by taxi drivers, rather than the standard Class 5 licence held by most motorists in the province.
Applications from companies such as Uber and Lyft will be accepted as of Sept. 3 but van Hemmen said onerous requirements might mean the company will find it difficult to do business.
The company already operates in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta.
Van Hemmen said Alberta also requires a commercial licence for ride-hailing drivers, as does New York City, the only jurisdiction in the United States with that regulation.
