Local cab drivers in Squamish may soon be using Uber’s technology against them.
Following the province’s announcement that Uber and other ride-hailing services will be allowed in B.C., the government said it will invest $1 million in helping taxis develop a smartphone application.
The app is expected to function in a similar way that ride-hailing apps work, by allowing users to call and pay for cabs with the push of a button.
“It’s just wonderful,” said Frank Ryan of Howe Sound Taxi. “We applaud it. We’re looking forward to it.”
But while some cabbies are praising the development of a new app as a step in the right direction, they are also voicing concern about what they call deteriorating standards.
As part of the province’s approval of letting ride-hailing services into B.C., the government has also stated it plans to phase out the Class 4 licence for cabbies.
The effort is intended to level the playing field between ride-hail companies and taxis, but Ryan said phasing out the Class 4 could lower the bar for drivers, which he and the rest of the B.C. Taxi Association believes is a mistake.
“Will drivers be held to a higher standard to ensure competent drivers?” the association said in a written statement detailing concerns about ride-hailing companies in the province.
As of now, meeting the standard for being a cabbie can be pricey.
Currently, cabbies must pay licensing fees and receive periodic physicals, which altogether can be up to $150, Ryan said.
Insurance for each vehicle can be about $550 per month, Ryan said.
On the other hand, it is unknown how much Uber drivers must pay in operating and licensing fees, though many suspect the cost to be significantly lower.
Furthermore, taxis are subject to being taken off the road at a moment’s notice should they fail surprise inspections, Ryan said.
“We want the standard to stay the same and not be lowered,” he said. “It’s all about safety.”
On the other hand, the province said it will make sure things will stay fair, though it has yet to respond to cabbies who say driving standards are being lowered.
“We’re making investments to modernize the taxi industry and create a level playing field,” said Transportation Minister Todd Stone in a press release.
B.C. has maintained that both cabbies and ride-hailing companies must pass criminal and driving record checks, as well as vehicle inspections.
“The province will require the same safety standards for both taxis and ride-sharing providers in order to protect the public and drivers,” the press release stated.
ICBC has also been working on insurance adjustments, which the government says
could save cabbies up to 25 per cent.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman appears to be receptive to the idea of ride-hailing companies in Squamish.
“Certainly that can really help in a town,” said Heintzman. “We don’t quite have the density to have a really good public transit system. We have a limited amount of taxis.”
“You could see it filling a niche,” she said.
At the moment, there haven’t been any formal talks between Squamish and Uber.
Should Uber arrive in town, the regulation of the service would fall mainly on the province.
However, it would also be subject to some city regulations, as the service would need to get business licences from Squamish to operate in the area. Uber did not reply to repeated requests for comment.
