A ride sharing company that has applied for 150 new taxi licences in Metro Vancouver is receiving a warm reception from the Township of Langley.
Ripe TX is looking to offer Uber-like services in Greater Vancouver, including Langley, with one major difference: they plan to follow B.C.’s rules.
While Uber — which allows drivers without taxi licences to provide low-cost rides through an app system — has been unable to break into Vancouver’s market, Ripe TX — an offshoot of the Ripe Rides luxury car service — will be using the rate, driver and insurance requirements mandated by the government.
Similar to Uber, Ripe TX will be digitally dispatched, meaning no top lights, flagging or use of taxi stands. The app allows users to track their vehicle, rate their drivers and pay in advance.
They will also have a pooling option, where customers heading to and from similar locations at similar times can be matched up to share rides.
A memorandum outlining the company’s plan was presented to Township council on Feb. 20, and received praise from Coun. Angie Quaale.
“We are so close to having an approval for ride sharing in the province … hopefully we will get an announcement before the province breaks for the election,” she told the Times.
“This is exciting news for the residents who have such limited access to transit and taxis.”
Quaale requested that council send a letter to Ministers Todd Stone and Peter Fassbender reiterating their request for the province to create a ride sharing framework in B.C.
“I would urge them again to consider that our residents want improved access to transportation alternatives and are eager for the provincial government to embrace technology and provide options,” she said.
Quaale’s motion was carried unanimously.
The Township originally made this request in December 2015, after an Uber spokesperson made a presentation to council.
