Lyft coy on launch plans, joins Regina business group

Ride-sharing firm could be preparing for opportunity to operate in province

Though they ’re still waiting for the final details before operating in Saskatchewan, ride-sharing company Lyft recently joined the Regina Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber CEO John Hopkins said he believes joining the chamber of commerce is part of Lyft’s preparation process to “be in place should the opportunity present itself and it makes sense to them.” He met with Lyft representatives a few months ago, but they did not indicate how quickly the tech company could set up shop in Regina.

Mayor Michael Fougere called it good news that indicates the company is serious about positioning itself to enter the market.

“I’m not surprised they ’re doing that,” Fougere said.

The City of Regina’s online rideshare survey closed in June. The questions focused on resident priorities on issues like cleanliness, accessibility and safety, as well as experiences with ride-sharing in other cities. It also asked how likely people would be to make use of the service.

Fougere said a report containing options for city council, which will include public feedback, will go to committee in the fall. While there are variables at play, Fougere said he is hopeful regulations will be in place in 2019. “It’s not an easy task or a simple task to provide a regulatory framework to allow ride-share to happen that’s balanced, that’s fair, to both the current taxi industry and to ride-share,” Fougere said, adding that Regina is consulting with Saskatoon.

Lyft, which is operating in eight Ontario communities, is also a member of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. Saskatoon’s regulations are intended to be introduced shortly after provincial rules are finalized in the fall.

The Saskatchewan Party government heralded the adoption of ride-sharing legislation in May as another solution to the province’s drunk driving problem.

The Vehicles for Hire Act opens the door for companies like Uber and Lyft to operate in Saskatchewan, but gives municipalities responsibility for issuing licences. Cities can decide how licences are allocated, who can drive a rideshare vehicle, as well as standards for the vehicles. They will also be responsible for setting policies on fees, rates or fares for the service.

A Lyft spokeswoman said that while the company does not have immediate launch plans to share, “We look forward to working with SGI on regulations that will make it possible to reduce impaired driving, expand transportation options, and realize the economic opportunity that Lyft provides.”

The company estimates that by not having Lyft in the province, Regina and Saskatoon are losing out on a combined $4 million in new spending by Lyft passengers at local businesses and $2 million in driver earnings.

Lyft’s main competition, Uber, is not a member of either city’s chamber of commerce. Hopkins said there was a meeting a few years ago that never amounted to a membership, but he expects another meeting will happen in the future. Hopkins said the practice of joining a chamber of commerce before operating in that city is not unconventional.

“It’s all about new opportunities and ride-share is a new opportunity, the cannabis industry is a new opportunity,” Hopkins said.

“It’s going to form a part of our economy. How big that’s going to be, we don’t know, but obviously we want to be part of all of that and we’d like them to be a part of us. So we’re happy to have them.”

There is a membership fee to join the Regina chamber, but the only other requirement is to be a business in good standing.