Uber expanding service right across B.C.

A major ridesharing player is expanding its service right across B.C. But it comes with a catch — it all depends on whether drivers sign up.

Uber announced on Friday that its app will be available to everyone in the province, and with that, it’s beginning to sign drivers up immediately.

“For British Columbians and visitors, Uber offers a safe, affordable and reliable transportation option at the tap of a button. Whether it’s a ride across town to run errands, to get to work or school on time, or a late-night ride home after an evening out, Uber helps people get where they want to go,” Uber shared.

In May 2023, the ridesharing company got approval from the Passenger Transportation Board for a licence to operate across the province. Since launching in Kelowna and Victoria in June 2023, it says it’s planing to launch the service for the remaining parts of the province in early 2025.

“British Columbians and visitors alike are constantly opening the app to try and find a ride just like they can in most cities across the country. It’s time that residents across the province have the same access to rideshare as they do in Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna to help get them where they need to go, when they need to,” Uber’s manager of mobility, Michael van Hemmen, said.

But whether or not someone in Chetwynd, Chemainus, Kimberley, or Klemtu will be able to book a trip is yet to be seen.

Uber Canada tells 1130 NewsRadio that rides will only be available “where drivers actively sign up and go online to do trips.”

“That’s why to prepare for this expansion, we are encouraging British Columbians to sign up as drivers. We’re looking for drivers from Nanaimo to Fort St. John and everywhere in between,” Uber’s Keerthana Rang said.

Uber says it’s offering new eligible drivers a $500 incentive to sign up. They must also complete at least 10 trips within the first four weeks of when it launches in the new year.

“We do have Uber Eats in a lot of these areas, and so we will be reaching out to delivery people who are already using Uber Eats to see if they’re eligible to come over [to] drive with Uber,” Rang said.

“And driving with Uber is a really great, flexible earning opportunity for people with a safe driving record. People can earn money on their own terms, they control when and where they want to work.”

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says many in his community have been waiting for an expansion like this.

“With the introduction of the Hullo ferry, the foot passenger ferry between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver, I think Uber will be a very welcome addition to that service, as the terminal itself is just outside of the downtown core, and it’s a distance that people wouldn’t want to walk normally,” Krog said.

Rides will only be available where drivers actively sign up and go online to do trips, but working for rideshare apps hasn’t been perfect for all drivers.

“Why are we doing it? There’s not enough job market right now, it’s very hard right now,” said Kuljeet Singh, who has been driving full-time with Uber since it launched.

“It’s very hard to find a job right now. I’m not going to do it for a long time.”

In September, B.C.’s new regulations for gig workers on third-party apps came into effect, addressing concerns about low and unpredictable pay, a lack of workers’ compensation, and more.

Despite the new rules, full-time drivers like Singh say drivers make less than they put in.

“If you spend 12 hours, if you’re not making $200 — I’m talking about after deductions — if you’re not making $200 in a day, it doesn’t make any sense,” he said.

Singh says if you’re going to get into it now, it’s better if you already own a vehicle.

“It’s okay to join if you have your own car. Don’t buy a car to do Uber. You’re going to regret it very soon,” he said.

With files from Kier Junos.