B.C. approves first ride-hailing company in Whistler, Vancouver Island

WHISTLER (NEWS 1130) – The first ride-hailing company has been approved to operate in B.C.

Green Coast Ventures plans to focus on smaller communities, like Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton, in its first year, although its application says the company plans to operate in other parts of the Lower Mainland in the future, including return trips from Vancouver to Squamish.

This does not mean we will have ride-hailing in Metro Vancouver though because, GCV plans to focus on Tofino/Ucluelet and Whistler/Pemberton/Squamish. In its first year, it only plans to have 45 cars and only operate in the above mentioned areas. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/caSfCif4GW

— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) December 16, 2019

The service will operate under the name Whistle.

The company will also have cars in Tofino and Ucluelet. There’s no word when it will start operating.

B.C’s transportation minister, Claire Trevena, welcomed the news, saying she understands people want to see fleets for companies like Lyft and Uber on the road as soon as possible.

“We are hoping to hear of more decisions in the very near future, as we want to ensure people across British Columbia are served, including, obviously those in Metro Vancouver and elsewhere,” she says.

“It is up to the Passenger Transportation Board to approve them in the order they wish to approve them. I know everyone is waiting for decisions on the larger players – I count myself among those – but the Passenger Transportation Board, as an independent body, is working through the applications in a way that they see fit.”

.@clairetrevena repeatedly says other #ridehailing operators including big players COULD be approved in “near future.” @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/aZPjF8vyDM

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) December 16, 2019

The PTB is looking at 24 applications by companies hoping to operate in B.C.

An application by LTG Technologies Ltd. has been denied.

– With files from Lasia Kretzel