In response to delays to British Columbia’s ridesharing launch involving insurance coverage, the Liberals have proposed legislation that could speed up the service’s debut in the province.
The legislation, submitted earlier this week, could bring in ridesharing as early as February 2019, though the bill is not expected to be passed into law. Liberals, however, have referred to the legislation as proof that the NDP’s claim – that it would take time to find proper insurance for ridesharing drivers – is an exaggeration.
“The NDP claims that it will take another year to two years before insurance is ready and ridesharing companies can even apply for a licence. The legislation we’re proposing today shows that claim is completely untrue,” said Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone.
“We have a ready-to-go framework that will allow British Columbians to take their Valentine on a date in an Uber or Lyft.”
The legislation was actually something the Liberals had prepared two years ago, back when they were still in government. Although the party had an opportunity to introduce the legislation during its term, it instead promised that it would push for the law if it won the 2017 election, Global News reported.
Liberals have also claimed that the NDP’s legislation is making companies like Uber and Lyft worried, since the bill is too restrictive for their tastes. Once passed, the NDP bill would give the Passenger Transportation Board authority to not only set regional limits where ridesharing and taxi companies can pick up and drop off passengers, but also to control their processes, restrict fleet size, and require all ridesharing drivers to possess Class 4 licenses.
“Uber confirmed late last week that the NDP’s legislation would prevent them from operating in B.C.,” said Official Opposition Critic for Transportation and Infrastructure Jordan Sturdy. “Once again, NDP politicking and obstruction means B.C. is denied a critical service that the rest of the western world is able to enjoy.”
On Monday, the opposition proposed an amendment to the NDP bill that would have stripped the Passenger Transportation Board’s ability to set a minimum and maximum price; the amendment did not pass.
