New ride-hailing service to launch in Victoria
Canadian ride-hailing company Uride has received its business license in Victoria, clearing the way for a September launch.
The ride-hailing company received approval earlier this year from the Passenger Transportation Board to operate in the Capital Regional District on the island, but needed a business licence from the City of Victoria before it could begin offering rides.
With this final hurdle cleared, Uride will be able to pick up anywhere with in the city with drop offs at any location in the region, allowing it to focus on Victoria before it branches out to other municipalities.
“We understand that accessing reliable transportation is a struggle for the people of Victoria, and we plan on coming in and addressing that need," said Ravi Dhami, Uride’s Regional Operations Manager for Western Canada.
"We’re looking forward to providing safe, reliable and affordable transportation with the ultimate goal of eliminating impaired driving.”
In an online interview, Dhami said Thursday that the company has been operating in Kelowna since May and in Kamploos since June, with more than 100 drivers employed.
To launch its services in Victoria, Dhami said Uride is looking to hire “hundreds of drivers.”
That could be challenging given the tight labour market, but Dhami said a lack of interest is less of a deterrent to would-be drivers than the costs associated with taking on the work. So, the company is offering to cover the costs for applicants.
“We’re covering all onboarding expenses for applicants,” said Dhami. “That includes the Class 4 (driver's licence) knowledge test, the road test, the licensing upgrades in general, the vulnerable sector checks that you need, commercial vehicle inspections. We’re covering all those costs.”
Uride is Victoria’s second ride-hailing service, after Lucky to Go.
The new company plans to begin service in Nanaimo by the end of the year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.