Ride-hailing in Metro Vancouver: Uber, Lyft, Sidecar - emerging technologies

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by logan5

Maybe "passenger drones" would be safer than a traditional helicopter because these drones would be electric and be less prone to mechanical failure. They also have multiple rotors, which might mean they can still run safely even if one electric motor fails.

I'm a big believer that driverless cars will proliferate much faster than anticipated, but I have a hard time seeing these air taxis becoming a reality anytime soon.

From that article I quoted above:

The S-A1 is an eight-rotor/tilt rotor aircraft. As with air taxis in development by other Uber partners, it's initially envisioned as carrying four passengers plus a pilot with a cruising speed around 180mph (290km/h), an electric range of 60 miles (97km), and requiring only five to seven minutes to charge. Like other eVTOL craft, it will have to be certified for airworthiness by the FAA and other international organizations.

[NewfBC]

I've heard Uber and Lyft have their license/approval and will be live in a few days.

Ron.

[chowhou]

Yep, it's official!

DailyHive on the story

[WarrenC12]

But now they'd still need to get municipal licenses, right?

[cyclinginvancouver]

@GlobalBC
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says city is ready to turn licence applications from @Uber and @Lyft in three days or less.

https://twitter.com/GlobalBC/status/1220438364110893057

[Tetsuo]

Doug McCallum in shambles

[cyclinginvancouver]

@kennedystewart
UPDATE: Our staff are so on top of this, we're going to be ready to issue licences TODAY. #vanpoli #ridehailing

cc:
@Lyft

@Uber

https://twitter.com/kennedystewart/status/1220479823153266691

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

Doug McCallum in shambles

Why is he against this again?

Also can someone explain why they aren't letting ride hailing companies set lower prices than cabs? How is this to the consumers and publics benefit ?

[red-paladin]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Why is he against this again?

He loves the taxi industry.

[jollyburger]

RIP Kater

[VanK]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

But now they'd still need to get municipal licenses, right?

A decision passed by the Mayors Council in December 2019 approved the regional Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL), meaning eventually, only one business licence will be required for ride-hailing companies in Metro Vancouver, regardless of where they operate

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

He loves the taxi industry.

and his constituents in Surrey who might comprise a majority of drivers in the taxi industry.

December article from BIV on Lyft fares:

Lyft unveils ride-hailing prices for Metro Vancouver passengers
By Tyler Orton |
December 13, 2019, 8:32am

What happened: Lyft has revealed its pricing scheme for Metro Vancouver riders

Why it matters: Prices may fluctuate depending on additional regulatory fees as well as demand during peak periods

Passengers in Metro Vancouver will pay at least $5 every time they jump inside a vehicle operated by ride-hailing service Lyft Inc. (Nasdaq:LYFT).

In addition to a $2.50 base, passengers will also need to cover a $2.50 service fee on top of costs per kilometre and per minute, according to pricing released by Lyft:

· Base: $2.50

· Service fee: $2.50

· Cost per km: $0.65

· Cost per minute: $0.33

A ride from Canada Place in downtown Vancouver to the Walmart outlet near the city’s border with Burnaby would cover 9.5 kilometres and take 22 minutes during mid-morning rush hour, according to Google Maps.

Based on that estimate, a ride with Lyft would cost passengers $18.44 to get from one side of Vancouver to the other but other fees would still apply.

“Lyft is sharing its rider pricing so Metro Vancouverites can get a better understanding of what they can expect when service begins. To note, applicable regulatory fees may be added to these rates,” Lyft said in a statement to Business in Vancouver.

Vancouver city council voted in October to also add additional $0.30 pick-up and drop-off fees between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for what it describes as its “metro core” — most of downtown out to Commercial Drive, and north of 16th avenue.

That additional fee would bring the Walmart trip from downtown up to $18.74.

The province’s Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) requires minimal pricing in B.C. to be based on taxi flag rates within an operating area.

In Metro Vancouver that runs between $3.25 and $3.95 when someone steps inside a vehicle in addition to prices charged for distance travelled.

Unlike many other jurisdictions, the PTB does not permit ride-hailing services to offer discounts to passengers below the minimum rate.

But the regulatory body will allow these services to raise prices during peak periods as demand swells.

Meanwhile, Metro Vancouver’s Mayors’ Council voted on December 13 in favour of pursuing a regional business licence for ride-hailing services rather than the patchwork system of municipal licences that had previously been in the works.

All the mayors — save for Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum — supported the motion.

Lyft said that it’s still awaiting a licence to operate from the PTB but that it was pleased with Mayors’ Council vote.

Once the provincial licence has been secured, Lyft said it would then work to get municipal licences before launching services.

https://biv.com/article/2019/12/lyft-unveils-ride-hailing-prices-metro-vancouver-passengers

[jollyburger]

Ouch.

However, in rejecting the application, the PTB said Kater’s business plan and 36-month cash projections were “incongruous and unrealistic” and its projected revenue from net ride commissions “overly optimistic.”

The board said Kater has not accounted for market competition, has not has taken steps to establish partnerships or other relationships with taxi companies in order to obtain market share, has underestimated costs and has not provided information on how it will be able to pay drivers $25 per hour.

“Given the board’s concerns about Kater’s business plan and associated financial projections and the disconnect between them, the board is not satisfied that Kater is currently capable of carrying out the proposed services,” the PTB concluded. “The evidence Kater provided to the board does not support a conclusion that it has the overall infrastructure to provide care and control of its drivers and vehicles and the management and financial resources to provide the ride hailing services it has proposed to provide.”

https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/two-ride-hailing-applications-in-kamloops-rejected-1.24059811

PTB decisions are all here:

https://www.ptboard.bc.ca/

[Migrant_Coconut]

I forget, what's Kater's association with the taxi industry?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I forget, what's Kater's association with the taxi industry?

They partnered with the local taxis to use their licenses

https://www.vancourier.com/news/vancouve...-of-ride-hailing-introduction-1.23587418

[Migrant_Coconut]

Thanks. Well, that explains the crap planning.

[logan5]

So, just did a cost estimate for a taxi ride from Canada Place to Wal-Mart, and the taxi ride would cost 23.60. Lyft would be 5 dollars cheaper, which is a pretty good savings.

With a minimum 5 dollar charge, a shorter trip, like I would take from Mt. Pleasant to Downtown, might not make that much difference.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by logan5

So, just did a cost estimate for a taxi ride from Canada Place to Wal-Mart, and the taxi ride would cost 23.60. Lyft would be 5 dollars cheaper, which is a pretty good savings.

With a minimum 5 dollar charge, a shorter trip, like I would take from Mt. Pleasant to Downtown, might not make that much difference.

Does the Lyft fare include 5% GST? It was only $20 something without GST for an 8.5km trip.

Without GST taxi

Pickup 3.1776
Distance (per km) 1.8343

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

Doug McCallum in shambles

LOL!

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Ouch.



https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/two-ride-hailing-applications-in-kamloops-rejected-1.24059811

PTB decisions are all here:

https://www.ptboard.bc.ca/

They should have just let Kater fail in the market in a big stumble.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's optics, since apparently many involved with Kater were hinting at having links/approval ready with the PTB