Step aside, Uber and Lyft (not that either are here yet).
Canadian ride-hailing company Uride has received its business license in Victoria, clearing the way to launch next month.
Following successful launches in Kelowna and Kamloops in May and June respectively, Uride said it is currently eyeing a September launch in Victoria, and in Nanaimo by the end of they year.
The company received approval earlier this year from the Passenger Transportation Board to operate in the Greater Victoria area, but needed a business licence from the City of Victoria before it could begin offering rides.
“Our entire team is thrilled about our expansion into Victoria. We understand that accessing
reliable transportation is a struggle for the people of Victoria and we plan on coming in and
addressing that need,” said Ravi Dhami, Uride’s Regional Operations Manager for Western Canada.
“We’re looking forward to providing safe, reliable and affordable transportation with the ultimate goal of eliminating impaired driving.”
Like other major ride-sharing companies, users can download an app, request a ride a car to pick them, as well as track their driver and pay right on the app.
In order to launch in Victoria, the company is currently recruiting drivers and is offering a $500 signing bonus for part-time drivers and weekly minimum guarantees of up to $1,500 for those interested in joining the companies “All Star Program”.
Uride said it would cover the majority of the drivers startup costs, including licensing upgrades, vehicle safeties and background checks.
Uride is Victoria’s second ride-hailing service, after Lucky to Go.
In May, the Victoria Airport Authority announced Lucky to Go would be the airport’s first authorized provider of Ride App services.
To hail a ride, passengers can download the Lucky to Go app via its website, the Google Play or Apple App store, enter their destination, view the estimated fare and pay securely, according to the airport authority.
In recent years, ride-hailing has been a hot topic.
Last December, Uber’s application to begin operating on Vancouver Island was denied by BC’s Passenger Transportation Board.
Already operating in the Lower Mainland and Whistler, the company sought to expand its services across the province, including the Island, Okanagan and BC North Central.
At the time, Uber said the addition of the ride-hailing service would benefit both residents interested in driving or riding with Uber, spur more innovative offerings and improve services among existing transportation service providers.
However, the transportation board argued there was not sufficient evidence of “public need” for the ride-hailing service in regions of BC outside of Vancouver, and the expansion to other markets may “unduly harm taxi operators” in these regions.
