While MLAs continue to debate how to regulate ride shares in Vancouver and across BC — here in the Lower Mainland, growth in illegal rideshares has been absolutely explosive!

Yesterday on CKNW I followed up with Lynda Steel on a conversation we had back in July. Then, the illegal unregulated rideshare GoKabu was boasting 150,000 rides since they began operations in June 2016. Today that total is 1,000,000. One million unregulated, unlicensed, uninsured and untaxed rides — and that’s just one company!

GoKabu are but one of at least seven illegal and unregulated rideshares operating in the Greater Vancouver area. They significantly undercut the taxi industry drivers who are paying insurance and taxes, and following requirements for licensing and permits (at significant cost).

Regardless of your opinion on pros or cons of rideshare: both Uber and Lyft are at least respecting our legal process, and lobbying government to change the laws and introduce a new regulatory framework. Taxi drivers are similarly lobbying to even the playing field. These unregulated operators prefer to ignore the law,and game the system.

So far fines that have been levied against ridesharing scofflaws have been shrugged off as “the cost of doing business”. Yesterday both BC Green leader Andrew Weaver and I suggested the same thing: if fines aren’t working, up the ante and impound the vehicle.

Under Section 104.1 of the Motor Vehicle Act, a peace officer can impound the vehicle of an uninsured driver (any vehicle carrying commercial passengers must have a Class 4). Similar statues exist under the MVA for uninsured drivers (ICBC don’t cover commercial passengers under personal insurance policies).

hear full interview: https://omny.fm/shows/steele-drex/penalties-for-illegal-ridesharing-oper…

A Chinese language only ride hailing company called GoKabu.ca has been operating in our city for over a year. They claim to serve an average of 10,000 trips a month.

All while governments have been hand-wringing and talking about talking about ride hailing outfits like Uber and Lyft.

How has GoKabu gone unnoticed so far?
Obviously they’re unregulated, and they aren’t commercially licensed. Are they paying taxes and declaring income?

What other services are being offered in languages other than English? Short term rentals? Real estate contract assignments?

If we are to be a multinational, multicultural city then we need multinational, multicultural regulations and an even playing field for ALL the people who call Vancouver home.

– – – 

When I first raised the issue it was in the context of local business licensing, (City of Vancouver licenses taxis in addition to provincial regulation) – I was challenging the city to take a upgrade their responsiveness to new technologies and languages other than English. Unfortunately, because it was during a by-election and certain political opponents tried to sideline the issue.

Since that time, the number of illegal rideshares has exploded and expanded throughout the region. Of course, with the Provincial MLA rideshare committee currently taking place here in Vancouver interest in the story has been rekindled. 

I’ve suggested to provincial counterparts and today on CKNW that under the BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 104.1 – peace officers can impound the vehicle of and unlicensed driver. Currently, operating a taxi or limo necessitates a class 4 commercial license. There are also laws and fines governing uninsured drivers: taxi/limo drivers are currently obliged to carry commercial liability insurance of $1m per passenger.

Because the MVA is a provincial law – you can (and should) write your MLA and ask them to crack down on illegal rideshares. 

To me the language issue is less important that public safety, fair competition, tax compliance and how our existing local laws regulations are enforced. I believe that particular tack would be federal jurisdiction, though not sure that stands up under Charter’s freedom of expression and language clauses respectively.