Metro Vancouver mayors, including Surrey, unveil model for regional ride-hailing licence

Metro Vancouver mayors have endorsed plans for a region-wide business licence for ride-hailing companies, calling for a single set of requirements for companies like Uber and Lyft.

The mayors' council on regional transportation, made up of 23 mayors, voted in favour of an interim inter-municipal licence bylaw at an in-camera meeting Friday, calling for businesses to pay an annual $155 licensing fee plus $150 per vehicle in operation.

The per-vehicle fee would be waived for any wheelchair-accessible vehicles and reduced to $30 for zero-emission cars.

The proposed licences would allow ride-hailing companies to operate across Metro Vancouver's 21 municipalities, as well as the Fraser Valley and Squamish-Lillooet regional districts.

The council urged municipalities to begin adopting the interim bylaw as soon as possible, which would be in place until a permanent regional licence can be developed.

"The framework that has been developed gives cities a say in managing our roadways while keeping the application process simple and reasonable," New Westminster Mayor and Mayors' Council chair Jonathan Coté said in a statement.

"This industry has the potential to improve transportation options in our region, if we take steps to properly manage it."

Vancouver is the only municipality that has its own business licence for ride-hailing companies. It will administer the interim licence, including fee collection and trip data, until a permanent framework is developed.

The regional business licence would be required on top of provincial permits to operate.

Surrey mayor is on board

Uber and Lyft's entry into the Metro Vancouver market has faced strong opposition in Surrey, where Mayor Doug McCallum has vowed to block ride-hailing, promising to fine drivers $500 a day for operating without a business licence.

Uber has asked the B.C. Supreme Court for an injunction blocking bylaw officers from writing tickets.

But on Friday, McCallum touted the efficiency of a regional licensing scheme and said the plan has his support.

"I have not budged from my position that a level playing field must be in place for ride-hailing and taxi companies to compete in," McCallum said in a statement.

"My fight is about ensuring fair competition in a highly regulated industry."

Neil Belenkie, mayor of Belcarra, B.C., said he voted against the plan, explaining that his village is desperate for transportation options and the licensing fees will only discourage ride-hailing companies from serving the area.

Board to reassess ride-hailing fleet size

The council also encouraged municipalities to harmonize current fees for cabs with fees set out in the regional business licence, while urging the provincial government to ensure fairness for the taxi industry by reviewing taxi boundaries, fleet caps and insurance requirements.

The B.C. Taxi Association said this week that it would stop subsidizing accessible vehicles because they are too expensive, and the mayors' council said Friday that the province should ensure a mechanism is put in place to subsidize accessible cabs or ride-hailing vehicles.

The council requested a meeting with the province and Passenger Transportation Board to discuss these issues.

B.C. Minister of Transportation Claire Trevena said Friday the province's independent Passenger Transportation Board will monitor ride-hailing performance data and may reassess fleet size.

In a written statement, Lyft's public policy manager for western Canada, Sophia Cote, said she was pleased with the licensing framework.

Uber's head of western Canada, Michael van Hemmen, said the company is supportive of the plan to establish an inter-municipal business licence, but he'll need to review the mayors' council's full report before commenting further.