Another ride-hailing company is set to launch in Victoria next week on Thanksgiving Day, October 10th.
Richmond-based KABU was one of the first companies to receive approval from the Passenger Transportation Board to operate in the Greater Victoria area in 2020.
However, due to the pandemic, the company paused its efforts to launch in the region.
“We’re excited to finally launch in Victoria, after the Covid-19 pandemic unfortunately
stopped our efforts in March of 2020,” said KABU-Ride Inc. CEO Austin Zhang.
“Our driving partners are eager to provide those in the Greater Victoria Area with affordable transportation services.”
KABU is fully licensed and insured to serve Victoria International Airport, and its
services extend from downtown Victoria all the way to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
Like other ride-hailing services, an app is available for users to download from the APP store and Google Play. Customers will need to download the app and complete a registration process.
According to their website, KABU is a Canadian ride-hailing software development firm that has been in operation in Vancouver since 2016.
KABU says it has completed more than two million trips for more than 200,000
customers, and is fully insured and licensed.
Drivers are vetted, trained and monitored, must pass a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check, and each has a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 4 commercial licence.
The company has a range of services from KABU Pure, which is the most affordable
option, to KABU Plus, for more spacious minivans and SUVs that can carry up to 6
passengers.
KABU also revealed it plans to roll out its delivery services in the near future, which will allow Victorians to use minivans or pick-up trucks to transport large items such as building
supplies or furniture.
The company is currently recruiting drivers with a commercial driver’s licence and a vehicle that’s less than 10 years old. They are also hiring full-time and part-time drivers to drive a KABU vehicle.
In August, Canadian ride-hailing company Uride announced it would be launching its ride-hailing service in the region in September, however, the company has yet to launch.
Following successful launches in Kelowna and Kamloops in May and June respectively, Uride said it had planned a September launch in Victoria, and in Nanaimo by the end of the year.
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.
Uber has applied to operate on Vancouver Island a couple of times; however, the province’s Passenger Transportation Board has declined the application both times.
