5.9°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Jan 24, 2020 6:44 PM -

Ride-hailing begins in Metro Vancouver as Uber, Lyft launch service

Share On

Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft say they are on the road in Metro Vancouver, less than a day after receiving long-awaited approval for operating licences.

Uber activated its app Friday morning, while Lyft held a news conference outlining is operational area covering downtown Vancouver, the international airport in Richmond and part of east Vancouver.

Uber says it will service North and West Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and parts of Delta.

Rate structures for the two companies are 33 cents a minute, but Uber will charge 70 cents per kilometre while Lyft charges 65 cents, and base and services fees for Uber are $4.50 compared with Lyft's $5.

Taxi rates can vary in Metro Vancouver, but the base fare is generally $3.25 and $1.88 per kilometre.

Vancouver quickly issued business licences to Uber and Lyft after the Passenger Transportation Board approved provincial licences Thursday.

Currently, drivers for both ride-hailing companies must arrange for separate business licences and fees in every municipality across Metro Vancouver, but a framework for a unified ride-hailing business licence is expected by early next month.

Peter Lukomskyj, Lyft's general manager for B.C., told a news conference in Vancouver Friday that the company has been ready and waiting to get on the road.

"We are very excited today to bring Lyft's ride-sharing service to British Columbia." Lukomskyj said.

"Today, we have Lyft off," he added with a smile.

Approval of ride-hailing in B.C. followed years of work that Transportation Minister Claire Trevena said included amending transportation service laws to accommodate both ride-hailing and existing taxi services, as well as ensuring safety for passengers and drivers.

The B.C. Taxi Association has opposed ride-hailing, arguing taxis cannot compete on a level playing field.

Its president Mohan Kang said in a statement that association lawyers will review the licence approvals for Uber and Lyft and will be considering its options.


Latest news

See All
elections-alberta-approves-citizen-recall-petition-for-justice-minister-mickey-amery
AlbertaDec 17, 2025

Elections Alberta approves citizen recall petition for Justice Minister Mickey Amery

Elections Alberta has authorized a citizen-initiated recall petition targeting Justice Minister Mickey Amery in the Calgary-Cross riding. The move allows constituents to formally petition for his removal from office. The petition claims Amery has been unresponsive to local concerns and supports policies viewed by some constituents as harmful. Amery, a member of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus, said he remains focused on serving the people of his riding. Amery emphasized that recall legislation is intended for cases of serious ethical violations rather than dis
police-investigate-two-attempted-abductions-in-mission-within-24-hours
BCDec 17, 2025

Police investigate two attempted abductions in Mission within 24 hours

Mission RCMP are asking the public for help after two alleged abduction attempts occurred in the community within a single day. The first incident happened overnight between Sunday and Monday on Logan Avenue. Police say a woman walking in the area was approached by a white SUV driven by a South Asian man. According to investigators, the man allegedly asked the woman for sex and attempted to pull her into the vehicle. The woman escaped, but may have been exposed to bear spray during the encounter. Later the same day, at approximately 6:30 p.m., another woman reported being approached on 3rd Ave
BCDec 17, 2025

RCMP investigate two targeted overnight shootings in North Cowichan and Duncan

RCMP in the Cowichan Valley are investigating two separate overnight shootings that police believe were targeted, involving a residence in North Cowichan and vehicles in Duncan. Officers were first called to the 5800 block of Jaynes Road in North Cowichan at around 4:45 a.m. on December 15 after reports of multiple gunshots. While initial patrols did not immediately locate the source, further searches by the Investigation Support Team, Street Crimes Unit, and a Police Service Dog led to evidence showing a nearby home had been struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported. A second incident was
canadas-population-dips-slightly-as-record-drop-in-non-permanent-residents-reported
CanadaDec 17, 2025

Canada’s population dips slightly as record drop in non-permanent residents reported

Canada’s population declined modestly in the third quarter of the year, driven by a sharp reduction in the number of non-permanent residents, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. Preliminary estimates show the population fell by about 76,000 people between July 1 and Oct. 1, bringing the national total to roughly 41.6 million. This marked a reversal from the same quarter last year, when the population grew by more than 230,000. Statistics Canada said the decrease was largely due to a record decline in non-permanent residents, including temporary workers, international student
AlbertaDec 17, 2025

AIMCo board names Ray Gilmour as permanent chief executive

The board of directors of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation has confirmed Ray Gilmour as the organization’s new chief executive officer, formalizing a role he has held on an interim basis for the past year. AIMCo oversees more than $179 billion in assets, managing pension and investment funds on behalf of public sector workers and government entities across Alberta. Its portfolio includes retirement savings for teachers, health care workers and other public employees, making its leadership decisions significant for thousands of Albertans. Gilmour stepped into the interim CEO role

Related News

Police investigate two attempted abductions in Mission within 24 hours

Police investigate two attempted abductions in Mission within 24 hours

Mission RCMP are asking the public for help after two alleged abduction attempts occurred in the community within a single day. The first incident happened overnight between Sunday and Monday on Logan Avenue. Police say a woman walking in the area was approached by a white SUV driven by a South Asian man. According to investigators, the man allegedly asked the woman for sex and attempted to pull her into the vehicle. The woman escaped, but may have been exposed to bear spray during the encounter. Later the same day, at approximately 6:30 p.m., another woman reported being approached on 3rd Ave
RCMP investigate two targeted overnight shootings in North Cowichan and Duncan

RCMP investigate two targeted overnight shootings in North Cowichan and Duncan

RCMP in the Cowichan Valley are investigating two separate overnight shootings that police believe were targeted, involving a residence in North Cowichan and vehicles in Duncan. Officers were first called to the 5800 block of Jaynes Road in North Cowichan at around 4:45 a.m. on December 15 after reports of multiple gunshots. While initial patrols did not immediately locate the source, further searches by the Investigation Support Team, Street Crimes Unit, and a Police Service Dog led to evidence showing a nearby home had been struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported. A second incident was
Strong wind storm knocks out power to nearly 100,000 BC Hydro customers across B.C.

Strong wind storm knocks out power to nearly 100,000 BC Hydro customers across B.C.

Strong winds moving across southern British Columbia have left close to 100,000 BC Hydro customers without electricity, with the largest number of outages reported in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, and on Vancouver Island. BC Hydro said more than 90,000 customers in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast region lost power overnight and into the morning hours, while an additional 11,000 customers were affected on Vancouver Island. Crews were dispatched across multiple regions as conditions allowed. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver, warning of westerl
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link