Edmonton-based TappCar first ride-hailing company to apply to operate in B.C.
Posted September 3, 2019 1:48 pm.
Last Updated September 3, 2019 2:07 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – An Edmonton-based ride-hailing app is the first company to officially apply for approval to operate in British Columbia.
Pascal Ryffel with TappCar says he isn’t worried about competing with Uber and Lyft, companies that are much more well known in the market.
“We definitely think there is room. There are certainly similarities between Uber and Lyft and TappCar, but we are a little bit unique in that we are a local Canadian company – there’s not too many of those around. We’re looking forward to the challenge,” he says.
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The company currently operates in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Grande Prairie, Alberta.
“We are a Canadian company, we’re based in Canada, we pay taxes here. We’re also very focused as a company on safety and security. We’re definitely in favour of the Class 4 driver’s licenses.”
The province began accepting applications Sept. 3. Ryffel says his company expects to hear back in a few weeks.
“We are encouraging drivers to apply right now to get information about TappCar and if they don’t already have a Class 4 drivers license, to get one.”
Lyft has said it plans to launch in Vancouver before the end of the year, and Uber announced it will also be applying to the Passenger Transportation Board and hopes to be in operation by the busy holiday season.
