Uber in Vernon Okay with Mayor

Vernon’s mayor is open to the idea of ride sharing services like Uber in the city.

Akbal Mund says council has yet to discuss the idea, but to him, it’s about giving people a choice.

“I have no problem with it as long as the rules and regulations are followed. If it’s more convenient for an individual why would I have an issue with it?”

He says the province first has to create a level playing field for existing taxis.

“That’s why I think the government is looking at how it can change some of those regulations because here you have a taxi service that pays the government fees to operate, where Uber doesn’t.”

Mund can see Uber being popular in Vernon — but more so in Kelowna.

“I can see Kelowna being used on a nightly basis. Can I see it being used here on a Monday or Tuesday night? Probably not. We don’t have a lot of activity in this town on those nights.”

Mund says existing taxis won’t like it, but he says the province is looking at changing the regulations to even-out the playing field.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone says BC would allow ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, while at the same time offering financial support and a relaxation of the rules to existing taxi companies to try to prevent their business from being wiped out by the competition.