If Calgary can get Uber then why not Vancouver?

On Thursday, UberX, the low cost offering from sharing economy giant Uber, launched in Calgary. After hundreds signed up to become the first Uber drivers in the Alberta city, the Calgary Herald reported that some would-be passengers were still left without a ride, something the company attributed to its overwhelming popularity.

“It’s been a wonderful day,” said Uber Canada spokesperson Xavier Van Chau. “We’re hearing great things (from drivers). They’re calling us to mention it’s fun, they’ve spoken with their riders, the riders are enjoying it.”

The launch happened against a familiar legal backdrop for Uber. The city says the service isn’t legal, yet no one has been fined and history suggests no one is likely to be. But one city councilor, Joe Magliocca, left no doubt as to his allegiance.

“They’re breaking the law,” he said. “It’s just selfish, they’re just being bullies on the block. It’s typical Uber. That’s what they’ve been doing all across North America. Even if they had a mandate from council not to enter the area, they still enter.”

What Magliocca claims isn’t entirely true. Uber has entered one city and decided to leave: Vancouver.

Uber came to Vancouver midway through 2012 with a soft-launch that included rides to high profile events that was spread through a word of mouth campaign. Hootsuite founder Ryan Holmes was among the first to use the service. But when the company was ready to make its entry into the market official a few months later, it found a major roadblock had been placed in the way. The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board notified the company that its service was being classified as a limousine and the minimum rate for limousines is $75 per trip.

Uber co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick told the Georgia Straight that the regulatory hurdles the company faced in Vancouver were some of the most challenging the company had faced.

Uber co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick told the Georgia Straight that the regulatory hurdles the company faced in Vancouver were some of the most challenging the company had faced. The winners of the standoff were a taxi industry in which regulators had not issued a new license for 25 years and the few holders of taxi “medallions”, the licenses to operate a cab that have soared in value to as much as $800,000 in recent years.

The loser was every other citizen of Greater Vancouver.

As a resident of the city for nearly twenty years I can confirm that taxi service here is simply god-awful. Trying to get a cab is tough at any time, but the problem is compounded by the almost total disdain of drivers for their customers. Multiple times over multiple years I was illegally refused a ride to my home on the North Shore because cabs preferred shorter trips within the city. The excuses fumbled out after I entered the taxi.

“I need to go get gas, can’t take you there,” or “I’m about to check out of service,” or “i’m not allowed to go to the North Shore”. After one such recent incident I asked the driver to take me home or take me to the nearest police station, where I would report this to the VPD. I got home that night.

Contrast this to the multiple trips I have taken with Uber in places like Toronto, Scottsdale and San Francisco. Uber, first of all, is always cheaper, in some cases much, much cheaper. The cars are usually cleaner and normally later models. The drivers are friendlier, with some offering free bottled water and even snacks. And the service feels safer because you have an electronic record of the route and a picture of the driver. It’s also much faster.

Vancouver’s mayor Gregor Robertson has done much to try and improve the city’s livability. His move to create bike lanes was controversial, but it is proving to be a success. Robertson wants to make Vancouver a leader energy efficiency and waste reduction, and he wants to promote clean air and local food. But the fact that Vancouver sent Uber packing is a major mark against his record.

With the stroke of a pen and a press conference with Travis Kalanick, Robertson could instantly improve the livability of Vancouver for all its residents. He should do it.

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About The Author / Nick Waddell

Cantech Letter founder and editor Nick Waddell has lived in five Canadian provinces and is proud of his country's often overlooked contributions to the world of science and technology. Waddell takes a regular shift on the Canadian media circuit, making appearances on CTV, CBC and BNN, and contributing to publications such as Canadian Business and Business Insider.

Comment

One thought on “If Calgary can get Uber then why not Vancouver?”

M says:

October 17, 2015 at 9:53 am

In favour of capitalism but lets have a level playing field. Thats like saying one chain restaurant like Burger King decides to not get their burger fda approved which in turn would under cut the market thereby having a competitive edge since they they can offer their burgers at a much cheaper price. I wonder why they don’t do that?? Hmm cause they’re are regulations you have to abide by. If uber provides the same service, than follow the same regulation. And the thing you fail to understand is that in 2-5 years, ride sharing will be a mirrior of a taxi. Drivers who rent out cabs will move to driving ubers and remember the term “surge pricing.” Just wait till drivers begin to reject your fare just so they can service you at a higher price due to surge pricing. Basic supply and demand. Do your research before you write this awfully dumb letter.