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
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
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.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
A renewed Russian offensive on Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine forces some 1,700 civilians to flee
Russian forces began a renewed ground assault in Ukraine's northeast, killing and injuring several people and forcing more than 1,700 civilians to evacuate from the Kharkiv region, officials said Saturday.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.
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.