944 replies to this topic

[LJ]

But Uber or Lyft, nah, the right people don't own them.

[Mike K.]

But when this thing launches Uber and Lyft will also enter the market, right?

[sdwright.vic]

But when this thing launches Uber and Lyft will also enter the market, right?

HA

[Jackerbie]

Kater got the green light because it's not ridesharing. They bought 140 taxi licenses and all of their drivers will be required to obtain a Class 4 license. It's a taxi company with an app instead of a phone line, basically. At least they preserved the function where you can rate your driver and passengers.

[Victoria Watcher]

how did they arrange priority on those licenses?  

[Jackerbie]

how did they arrange priority on those licenses?  

 

They made a deal with the taxi association, where Kater will pay a 20% royalty on all fares back to the association

[Victoria Watcher]

how did the taxi association get 140 new licenses and not anybody else outside the association that might have wanted to apply?  or are they not new and just existing licenses?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 March 2019 - 07:55 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The fact that the BCTA represents all 140 taxi companies in B.C. except for the four companies operating in Vancouver is, to my mind, evidence that something is amiss.

While the BCTA is proud of its lobbying efforts to keep the B.C. taxi industry regulated, many provincial regulations are outdated, short-sighted and neither sustainable nor in the best interests of passengers.

For example, except during weekend evenings, North Shore, Surrey or Richmond taxis bringing fares into Vancouver are not allowed to take fares back to their home municipalities. They must return empty. This is a sustainable transportation system? At the same time, Vancouver taxis are often reluctant to take fares to distant parts of Metro Vancouver since they too are restricted from bringing fares back to the city.

If you have ever waited a long time for a taxi or not found one at all, it may be because Vancouver has the lowest ratio of taxis per capita of any major Canadian city.

It is significant that not one new taxi company has been allowed to enter the Vancouver market in 25 years. Compare this with any other retail or service industry.

If you thought fares seemed expensive, Vancouver rates are approximately 15 per cent higher than the average in major Canadian cities.

SFU graduate student Benn Proctor has written an excellent master’s thesis on the taxi industry. He concluded that the primary beneficiaries of current regulations are the taxi company shareholders who can charge $800,000 for a single taxi cab license.

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.vancouri...ystem-1.1737171

[Jackerbie]

how did the taxi association get 140 new licenses and not anybody else outside the association that might have wanted to apply?  or are they not new and just existing licenses?

 

The Passenger Transportation Board released about 500 new licenses provincially late last year, which I believe were available to existing licensees only. The Vancouver Taxi Association received 300 additional licenses, so I assume that these 140 came out of that new pool.

Edited by Jackerbie, 22 March 2019 - 08:30 AM.

[LJ]

But when this thing launches Uber and Lyft will also enter the market, right?

Nope, Horgan can say he introduced ride sharing(almost) to the province and we don't need any free enterprizers horning in on us.

 

His Surrey/ Vancouver base is happy and he can chalk up another promise kept.

[Mike K.]

That’s crazy if that turns out to be the case.

Will this not spur a lawsuit from Uber and Lyft? Seems like a legal challenge is virtually a given by denying a company that operates nationwide from operating in B.C.

[spanky123]

That’s crazy if that turns out to be the case.

Will this not spur a lawsuit from Uber and Lyft? Seems like a legal challenge is virtually a given by denying a company that operates nationwide from operating in B.C.

As long as a group that controls a voting bloc determines the outcome of 3 seats then Horgan will do as he is told and Uber/Lyft can wait 10 years for the courts to sort this out.

[Victoria Watcher]

Lyft prices at $87.24 in market debut, surging 21% after IPO

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 March 2019 - 08:03 AM.

[spanky123]

 

Lyft prices at $87.24 in market debut, surging 21% after IPO

 

 

 

I am sure Uber is kicking itself for waiting and will now scramble to get their bucks as well. Having said that, the first 30 days after IPO is never a reality check on the business as market makers and investment banks float even crappy issues.

[spanky123]

That’s crazy if that turns out to be the case.

Will this not spur a lawsuit from Uber and Lyft? Seems like a legal challenge is virtually a given by denying a company that operates nationwide from operating in B.C.

 

I think that proposed changes to the employment standards act https://www.bcli.org...andards-Act.pdf will kill Uber and Lyft faster than anything else. Although the definition of an employee doesn't look like it is being changed, policy guidance is being provided that makes it clear (at least to me) that drivers would be considered employees (page 11) and then subject to such proposed changes as minimum hours of work, overtime for scheduling changes, paid sick leave, etc, etc.

[Victoria Watcher]

would that also spell trouble for skipthedishes?  i'm not so sure it'll be an issue. cab drivers have for years been employees deserving of minimum wage but we all know they do not make it some hours.

[spanky123]

The key items being highlighted to determine the status of an employee are:

 

Does the 'employee' use their own tools (car yes but app no)

Can the 'employee' delegate the work to another (no)

Does the 'employee' bear financial risk (no they get paid even if the user doesn't pay Uber/Lyft)

Can the 'employee' set their own price (no)

 

There are usually other factors that are considered but the proposal only highlights these ones. I would think that skipthedishes and others would have the same issue as Lyft/Uber but then again there is no lobby group to oppose them and politicians like ordering in food so you never know.

[dasmo]

IPOs are crazy these days. Better to wait a bit and watch where it’s heading. Look at the Facebook IPOD as an example. Lyft has a lot of potential but there is some serious catching up to do to be a 25 billion dollar company when right now it’s losing almost a billion a year.

[LJ]

If a Uber driver advertises as such but will take cash fares outside of the app, is that legal as far as Uber is concerned?

[Victoria Watcher]

i'm sure it's against uber rules.

 

i'm also sure it happens all over the place.