Uber hosts grand opening at Victoria International Airport
It's official, ride-hailing giant Uber has finally started operations in Victoria.
Uber kicked off its service in Victoria with a grand opening event at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on Tuesday.
When the ride-hailing operator was applying to operate in B.C., YYJ was one of the groups that voiced support for Uber, saying it would like to see more transportation options to and from the airport.
A map of Uber's service area in Victoria is pictured. (Uber)
"It’s been a long journey for Uber to operate in Greater Victoria. With air travel continuing to rebound at YYJ, we welcome the addition of this popular ground transportation option for our travellers," said Geoff Dickson, president and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority.
Uber can take passengers on trips around Greater Victoria, extending from downtown Victoria to Langford and the Saanich Peninsula, including the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
Dedicated rideshare pick-up stalls have also been set up at YYJ in the short term parking lot.
"Just in time for a busy summer season, we are excited to bring rideshare to more British Columbians," said Michael van Hemmen, general manager of Uber Canada in a statement Tuesday.
"Residents and visitors coming through YYJ now have a safe, affordable, and reliable option to help get them where they need to go, when they need to,” he said. "And for those with a safe driving record, a flexible opportunity to earn money on their own time."
"We’d like to thank the city governments in both cities, the province, and Victoria Airport Authority for their support in bringing ridesharing to Victoria and Kelowna."
Uber was approved to operate in the Victoria region on May 10, after the B.C. Passenger Transportation Safety Board (PTB) approved a licence transfer from the Vancouver-based ReRyde to Uber.
Uber had previously applied for its own licence, but was rejected by the PTB, which said that local taxi operators and ride-hailing companies needed more time to recover from the pandemic, and that there wasn't enough demand in the region for another service.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.