NDP delays on ride-hailing promise politically motivated
Columnist Michael Smyth had it right. Premier John Horgan promised Uber, but he was just throwing a bone to his kingmaker, Green party leader Andrew Weaver.
In 2015, I had cause to use Uber many times in Santa Monica, Calif. It was a third of the cost of taxis, on time, reliable and a good experience. About two weeks ago, I was in London. Uber was fantastic.
What is it about the NDP government’s “not in my backyard” attitude? It’s the taxi industry, lobbying the government and lining its pockets. Bill Goble, Port Coquitlam
‘Kowtowing’ to taxi interests
Just a couple of weeks ago, there was an article about a woman who called for a cab only to have the driver refuse to drive her into the city? That’s absurd. A taxi is for the benefit of the passenger, not the driver.
I once had a driver tell me he would help me unload my groceries for a tip. Thirteen bags I unloaded myself. Not because I didn’t want to tip someone who is helping me, but because the stipulation was made before I had even made a request. I won’t mention the drivers who don’t know their way around. As long as this kind of “professional” service is the norm, passengers are being deprived of courteous door-to-door service.
The NDP campaigned on instituting ride-hailing. Their foot-dragging is nothing but kowtowing to an industry that is not shy about voting their frustration with any government perceived as being unfriendly to their businesses. Barbara Ewart, Langley
When every riding counts
The problems of proportional representation are clear: When every riding counts, the major parties in a coalition are afraid to stand on principle, and succumb to power groups to maintain their slim grip on government.
As for the delay again for ride-hailing, to do what is best for the province is simply too risky and also might inflate the hopes of one-issue candidates to pick off select ridings heavily affected by any particular policy proposal. Rick Angus, Vancouver
Greyhound debt is peanuts
Apparently, Greyhound has lost $70 million over six years on its bus service and will cease operating by October. People on northern bus routes have been without service for some time, and thousands of people are upset that their only way of commuting will end when their health and life depends on dependable service.
Why shouldn’t government add $1 billion to B.C.’s $66-billion debt or the $657-billion federal debt to restore the service? Doesn’t the $70-million loss by Greyhound sound rather like peanuts compared to government debt? Gunther Ostermann, Kelowna
Grow food, not marijuana
The first priority and highest use of agricultural land should be soil-based food production. There should be no cannabis on agricultural land, ever. Doug Porter, Burnaby
Benning is doing just fine
I disagree with letter-writer Alan Pedersen. The Canucks are a “bottom-feeder team,” as he calls it, not because club president Trevor Linden hired general manager Jim Benning, but because the cupboard was bare when he arrived.
For years, the Canucks traded away draft picks at the trade deadline (for old hasbeens, mostly) and drafted poorly. While Benning leaves us wanting with his trading prowess, he does seem to have the drafting end of it figured out and our cupboard is now well on its way to being stocked with the best young players in the team’s history.
Fortunately, the Oilers got the more experienced Peter Chiarelli and left Benning for us. One more year of bottom-feeding, I hope, and then 10 exciting years ahead. Gary Pelzer, White Rock