Uber coming to C. Okanagan

Uber is bringing its ride-sharing service to the Central Okanagan.

The ride-hailing company received approval from the Passenger Transportation Board to begin operating in Kelowna and Victoria.

The approval came after many months of waiting for B.C.’s Passenger Transportation Board to approve its proposed takeover of an existing ridesharing license, an application Uber made in 2022.

“The Passenger Transportation Board’s approval of Uber offers residents and visitors another transportation option to travel throughout our city,” said Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas in a statement.

“In addition, the city is also evaluating options for pick-up and drop-off points for all passenger services including taxis to make it more convenient and accessible for passengers.”

Uber is the latest company to be approved to provide ride-hailing services in Kelowna area, joining existing providers Uride and Lucky to Go.

Uber says lots of people visiting Kelowna have opened up the Uber app only to find out the company who’s name is synonymous with ride sharing didn’t operate here.

“We would be able to share that tens of thousands of people in Kelowna are opening the app and we also know that tourists, when they arrive, are opening the app, but then they find there’s no Uber in Kelowna,” said Laura Miller, Uber Canada’s head public policy and communications.

Uber acquired the license to operate from ReRyde in August 2020 and been pursuing approval from the Passenger Transportation Board to operate in the Kelowna area. Uber has been operating in the Lower Mainland since 2020.

Uride celebrated its one-year anniversary in Kelowna last week and is preparing to enter the Penticton market.

Uride operations manager Ravi Dhami said the company has received more than 100,000 bookings in Kelowna since launching a year ago.