18.34°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
CanadaAug 25, 2026

Dingell Slams Trump Over Strained Canada-U.S. Relations, Urges Resumption of Talks

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s policies amid worsening relations between Canada and the United States, saying it is an extremely disappointing time for the country when the president appears more comfortable strengthening ties with dictators than talking to one of America’s closest friends and allies. Dingell said Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border and are connected by generations of friendship, family ties, democratic values and the geography of the Great Lakes. Her comments come
wildfire-threat-eases-in-b-c-as-major-fires-drop-to-just-three
BCAug 25, 2026

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek wildfire in the Fraser Canyon area is no longer considered a wildfire of note, after the threat posed by the blaze eased. The fire has now been removed from the province’s wildfire-of-note list, leaving just three major wildfires in B.C. The agency said, however, that firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire on the west side of the Fraser River. Meanwhile, the Ansley Creek wildfire on the east side of the river remains out of control and is one of the three remaining major wildfires in the province. The Bald Range wi
BCAug 25, 2026

Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Suspected unregulated drug toxicity claimed 138 lives in British Columbia in June 2026, according to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service. That works out to approximately 4.6 deaths per day. During the first six months of 2026, people between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of all drug-toxicity deaths in the province, while 75% of those who died were male. The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities recorded the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths in 2026, with 206 and 200 deaths respectively. Together, they accounted for 52% of all such deaths in the province.
sukhbir-badal-pays-obeisance-at-takht-damdama-sahib-after-nanded-attack
IndiaAug 25, 2026

Sukhbir Badal Pays Obeisance at Takht Damdama Sahib After Nanded Attack

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday paid obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda district, nearly two weeks after surviving a life-threatening attack in Nanded, Maharashtra. He was accompanied by his wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and senior party leaders. A large number of Akali workers gathered at the religious shrine to welcome him. Speaking to reporters after paying obeisance, Sukhbir Badal alleged that certain forces were working to weaken Punjab and Sikh leadership and disturb peace and communal harmony in the state. He said the Shiroma
mélanie-joly-urges-canadians-to-buy-canadian-made-products-amid-escalating-trade-war
CanadaAug 25, 2026

Mélanie Joly Urges Canadians to Buy Canadian-Made Products Amid Escalating Trade War

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has strongly urged Canadians to buy Canadian-made products as the trade war with the United States continues to escalate. Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa alongside other federal ministers, Joly said government officials have been working with retailers to make it easier for consumers to identify Canadian-made products in the marketplace. Joly said that when Canadians choose Canadian goods, they are not only putting pressure on the United States but also helping protect jobs in Canada. She described the effort as a “movement of resistance.?

Related News

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek wildfire in the Fraser Canyon area is no longer considered a wildfire of note, after the threat posed by the blaze eased. The fire has now been removed from the province’s wildfire-of-note list, leaving just three major wildfires in B.C. The agency said, however, that firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire on the west side of the Fraser River. Meanwhile, the Ansley Creek wildfire on the east side of the river remains out of control and is one of the three remaining major wildfires in the province. The Bald Range wi
Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Suspected unregulated drug toxicity claimed 138 lives in British Columbia in June 2026, according to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service. That works out to approximately 4.6 deaths per day. During the first six months of 2026, people between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of all drug-toxicity deaths in the province, while 75% of those who died were male. The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities recorded the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths in 2026, with 206 and 200 deaths respectively. Together, they accounted for 52% of all such deaths in the province.
Surrey Man Charged After Alleged Iron Rod Attack on Security Guard in Vancouver

Surrey Man Charged After Alleged Iron Rod Attack on Security Guard in Vancouver

A 41-year-old Surrey man has been charged after allegedly attacking a security guard with an iron rod at a downtown Vancouver parking garage. According to Vancouver police, the incident happened around 4:15 a.m. Saturday near Cambie and Dunsmuir streets. Police said the security guard was conducting a routine patrol when he found a man sleeping inside the parking garage and asked him to leave. The suspect allegedly pulled out a small iron rod and began swinging it at the guard. He also allegedly damaged the guard’s vehicle and later followed the guard while he was riding a bicycle. Police re
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
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link