9.73°C Vancouver 9.73°C VancouverJan 28, 2020 2:47 AM -
The mayor of Metro Vancouver's second-most populous city says ride-hailing is operating illegally in his municipality and drivers who are caught will be fined.
Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum told a news conference Monday that ride-hailing companies require a municipal business licence and his city has not created a licensing regime.
The city earlier warned Uber to stop operations although the company said it had all the necessary provincial licences.
McCallum says 18 warnings were issued to drivers over the weekend but the grace period is over and any violators will be ticketed and face a fine of $500.
Uber says the mayor is threatening fines that have no legal basis, noting the province has been very clear that cities don't have the power to block ride-hailing companies from operating.
The company adds the Uber app will continue to be available in its service area in Surrey and it will be preparing legal action to defend the right to access the app.
