Municipalities continue to urge provincial government to speed up ridesharing legislation

In November, the province introduced long-awaited legislation that could pave the way for companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in B.C. If passed, the act would expand Passenger Transportation Board's authority so that it has control over which companies can enter the B.C. market, where they can operate and how much they can charge. Exactly when you'll be able to hop in an Uber, however, remains about as unclear as before the Passenger Transportation Amendment Act was announced. That's largely because ICBC has yet to develop a new insurance product that will cover Uber and Lyft drivers, a process that could take another year or more as the public auto insurer also contends with its dire financial situation.

Municipal politicians from across the lower mainland are getting fed up with the lack of progress being made on the issue of ridesharing. Teri Towner is a Coquitlam city councillor, and she has been speaking out about the need for ridesharing since 2015. Towner volunteers for for Operation Red Nose (ORN), and has said that the busy holiday season made it apparent how desperately the lower mainland needs ridesharing services.

On Dec. 11, Maple Ridge council unanimously voted to write to Premier John Horgan and Transportation Minister Claire Trevena to speed things up and allow ride-sharing as soon as possible. Mayor Mike Morden joins us to discuss why his city feels they need to pressure the provincial government into bringing ridesharing to B.C.

Guest: Teri Towner

Coquitlam City Councillor

Guest: Mike Morden

Mayor of Maple Ridge

In November, the province introduced long-awaited legislation that could pave the way for companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in B.C. If passed, the act would expand Passenger Transportation Board's authority so that it has control over which companies can enter the B.C. market, where they can operate and how much they can charge. Exactly when you'll be able to hop in an Uber, however, remains about as unclear as before the Passenger Transportation Amendment Act was announced. That's largely because ICBC has yet to develop a new insurance product that will cover Uber and Lyft drivers, a process that could take another year or more as the public auto insurer also contends with its dire financial situation.

Municipal politicians from across the lower mainland are getting fed up with the lack of progress being made on the issue of ridesharing. Teri Towner is a Coquitlam city councillor, and she has been speaking out about the need for ridesharing since 2015. Towner volunteers for for Operation Red Nose (ORN), and has said that the busy holiday season made it apparent how desperately the lower mainland needs ridesharing services.

On Dec. 11, Maple Ridge council unanimously voted to write to Premier John Horgan and Transportation Minister Claire Trevena to speed things up and allow ride-sharing as soon as possible. Mayor Mike Morden joins us to discuss why his city feels they need to pressure the provincial government into bringing ridesharing to B.C.

Guest: Teri Towner

Coquitlam City Councillor

Guest: Mike Morden

Mayor of Maple Ridge