Whereas British Columbias Passenger Transportation Boards Operational Policy: Introduction of Transportation Network Services, 2019 allows ridehailing companies to unfairly compete against British Columbias taxi companies for passengers, and without having to comply with the same onerous rules, restrictions and requirements that the Board places on taxi companies; And whereas the Passenger Transportation Boards Operational Policy allows individual ridehailing companies to operate unlimited numbers of vehicles, and not operate any accessible vehicles that are capable of accommodating wheelchairs and other needs of persons with mobility impairments, while at the same time the Board severely restricts the numbers of vehicles that individual taxi companies may operate, and requires taxi companies to operate accessible vehicles that are capable of accommodating wheelchairs and other needs of persons with mobility impairments: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM opposes the British Columbia Passenger Transportation Boards Operational Policy for licensing ride-hailing companies; And be it further resolved that UBCM will expeditiously write to the Public Transportation Board requesting that its Operational Policy for licensing ride-hailing companies be immediately withdrawn; And be it further resolved that UBCM will, in writing, request that the Public Transportation Board facilitates a comprehensive, fulsome public consultation process wherein BCs cities, municipalities, regional districts, public transit agencies, disabled persons advocacy organizations, and the general public are invited and enabled to provide their views as to the terms, restrictions and requirements that should be included in the operating licenses that are issued to ride-hailing firms by the Public Transportation Board.
