Uber plans to roll out its service across B.C. beginning in early 2025, with a recruitment drive underway to find drivers in every community. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

ride share rollout

Uber preparing for ‘early 2025’ launch in Nanaimo & rest of B.C.

Nov 15, 2024 | 6:00 AM

NANAIMO — A new major player is preparing to enter the local transportation market.

Global ride sharing giant Uber has begun a driver recruitment campaign across the province, with hopes of attracting enough personnel to rollout service across B.C., including Nanaimo and Parksville, beginning early in the new year.

Michael van Hemmen, general manager of mobility for Uber Canada, told NanaimoNewsNOW unlike previous expansions into Vancouver, Victoria or Kelowna over recent years, this one means every community will be able to access ride share, provided drivers are signed up.

“Where there’s more people, there’s generally more folks with the appropriate drivers license to begin to drive, so we do see service start more in the core of cities than in the outskirts. That being said, we are making the app available for drivers across the entire province, so whether you’re in Lantzville or Nanoose Bay, you can sign up as well.”

Drivers must have a valid class 1, 2 or 4 driver’s license and complete a screening process which includes criminal record and road safety checks, as well as a vehicle inspection.

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Once formally hired by Uber, drivers will be able to offer rides in any community across the province once the service goes live.

“Over time we do see trips and the number of trips, which start around transportation hubs like ferry terminals, airports, malls, hospitals…that they do then spread out and connect more with the broader community.”

Once signed up and completed the screening process, drivers will be sent vehicle decals and other signage to use while they are working. (Dreamstime)

So far, Uber has been limited to the province’s biggest cities.

It began operating in Vancouver in early 2020, then expanded into Victoria and Kelowna shortly after receiving approval from the Passenger Transportation Board in May 2023.

In Nanaimo, it will go head-to-head with multiple taxi companies, as well as ride sharing service Uride which started locally in November 2022.

van Hemmen is confident Uber’s name recognition will help them in new markets where they’re competing with other companies.

“Individuals who are coming from large cities across Canada and internationally open the app and we’re the first look, so there will be opportunities for drivers to make more money if they sign up with Uber. Similarly for riders, it’s great to have competition in a market and to have more options.”

Ride pricing will be differ from Vancouver, according to van Hemmen, with the rates not yet set.

Various incentives are being offered for drivers to sign up through the company’s website, with similar perks planned for passengers as well once the service launches.

van Hemmen, who grew up in Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, said expanding into smaller communities has long been a goal of the company where options are limited.

“Transportation options there were non-existant outside of driving yourself or walking/riding your bike, so having more options will hopefully over time help transportation even in smaller communities like that as well.”

Information on driver registration is available on the Uber Canada website.

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