Uber should be forced to pick up some certification before picking up passengers, according to the business director of digital dispatch car service.
While some provincial Liberals are calling for B.C. to roll out the pavement for ride sharing services, Nitesh Mistry, director of business operations for Ripe Rides, called for one condition.
“We welcome Uber,” he said. “As long as Uber’s playing by the same rules and regulations.”
Ripe Rides, which can only be booked online, was permitted to mobilize its fleet of 20 Cadillacs throughout Metro Vancouver after its drivers had a Class 4 driver’s licence, a chauffeur’s permit and a criminal record check.
While Uber drivers are generally owner/operators as opposed to employees, Mistry suggested to City of North Vancouver council that they should abide by similar regulations.
Coun. Holly Back noted the similarities between Ripe Rides and Uber, adding: “except that you have ... a much higher price.”
A trip in one of Ripe Ride’s 20 sedans is generally between 2.5 and six times higher than the cost of the same trip in a taxi.
“We would love to adjust that price to be more in line with taxis,” Mistry said, explaining their prices are set by the province.
With only two taxi companies operating in North Vancouver, Mistry suggested Ripe Rides would add variety to the market.
“We’re a small piece of the pie,” he said, arguing Ripe Rides was “added and complementary” as opposed to being purely competitive with taxis.
