YVR, BC Ferries usher in ride-hailing with new rules, pick-up locations

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As ride-hailing settles into its first day, drop-off rules are still being worked out around Vancouver International Airport and BC Ferries terminals.

For now, ride-hailing is going to be treated like a regular vehicle and taxi drop-offs at the airport and ferry terminals.

Vancouver International Airport announced at least three different pick-up areas for ride-hailing vehicles. On Friday morning, YVR was already starting to see ride-hailing pick-ups, with some excitement from passengers.

Shandon McMillan from Saskatoon was pleased to see Uber available when he got off his flight at YVR.

“I Uber around Saskatoon all the time. It’s always easy and cheaper than cabs there. I figured why not try it out here?” he says, “The rating system helps out because you know your drivers will be nicer.”

Adrianna Carbonneau from Calgary agrees on the convenience of Uber and says she uses it daily back home.

“I like being able to pay and track it on the app,” she tells NEWS 1130, expressing her excitement for being one of the first fares in Vancouver.

The Ride App Pick-up location outside @yvrairport’s International Arrivals is parallel to area designated for taxis which are steadily picking up fares. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/SoxQPOZ06Q

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) January 24, 2020

An Uber driver had already gone back and forth to the airport several times but had to travel a far distance.

“I guess there are not enough drivers,” he says.

Andrew Grams, YVR’s director of parking and ground transportation, wants passengers to wait to use their apps until they’ve already picked up their luggage.

“We’re just doing that so the vehicles don’t needlessly come up to the curb sooner than the passenger is ready. We just want to make sure pick up is efficient as possible,” he says.

Arrival of @Uber and @Lyft prompts 1st day hiccups @yvrairport. Travellers asked to wait until you’ve picked up luggage to summon ride because curbside space is limited. #YVR staff are also stationed at all 3 ride-hailing pick up stands to help guide passengers. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/AMZ7q76Oc6

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) January 25, 2020

Taxi drivers, on the other hand, just want to see fair competition. One cabby waiting at the airport for passengers says he has some concerns about the impact of ride-hailing.

“Obviously when one side is preferred because they are given special ICBC rates, how can you compete?” he asks. “It wasn’t brought fairly.”

Meanwhile, there’s still some confusion about rules for drop-offs and pick-ups for the BC Ferries terminals. BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall says while pick-up options are still not clear at this point, ride-hailing drivers are welcome to drop passengers off.

“We see this as similar to our private vehicles coming to the terminals to drop customers off,” she tells NEWS 1130.

Marshall says they are working with both Uber and Lyft to ensure the vehicles don’t create traffic problems at the terminals.

“We are going to be monitoring the situation. If it comes to the point where the [ride-hailing] vehicles start to displace space in the pick-up and drop-off spaces we will work with the companies to make other arrangements,” she explains, adding this may include setting aside specific areas at the terminals for ride-hailing vehicles in the future.

“We would want to work with the companies to make other arrangements, so it might be looking at designated areas with a fee attached for ride-hailing vehicles,” she says.