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Ride-hailing key for safe returns over the holidays: local business group

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Heading into the heart of the holiday season, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the City of Vancouver are urging people to play it safe and leave cars parked after parties.

And the head of one local business group says that’s the workaround for now as people wait for ride-hailing.

“We need to have a long-term solution to people getting home safely back and forth,” says Ian Tostensen, president of the BC Restaurant & Food Services Association.

He adds ride-hailing is key, and he’s optimistic about it as an option this season.

“I think that we are just around the corner from seeing ride-[hailing] approved, and if that’s the case I think we might see some ride-[hailing] activity right around Christmas which would be great,” he says.”If Burnaby and Surrey are hold outs, I think there will be so much public pressure for them to say ‘guys, get on it’ because those are the critical hubs to go through to get to other municipalities.”

He’s confident that even if some cities hold out against a regional business license plan it won’t halt companies and drivers from getting out on the road.

Metro Vancouver Mayors are meeting on that issue Thursday.

In the meantime, Operation Red Nose is one option for a safe ride home on Friday and Saturday nights. Their app gets you in touch with volunteers who will drive you home in your own car.

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