Uber should follow taxi rules: poll

Uber and taxi companies should be on level playing field, poll finds

If ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are allowed to operate in B.C., they should be required to meet the same regulations as taxis, a new Ipsos Reid poll shows.

The poll, commissioned by Vancouver Taxi Association, showed a broad public expectation that drivers of ride-sharing companies pass criminal records checks and that their vehicles be properly inspected, licensed and insured.

The online survey of 800 people looked at 17 questions that would apply to both taxis and ride-sharing operations like Uber, which has been trying to gain access to the Vancouver market, so far without success. In every category but one, respondents overwhelmingly indicated they want a level playing field between the two types of services.

One question not asked during the survey, which was conducted March 22-28, was whether respondents preferred one service over another. Instead, the poll was formed around the concept that ride-sharing will inevitably be permitted in B.C.

“Assuming these kinds of services are coming, what do you want government and your municipality to do about them?” said Kyle Braid, senior vice-president of Ipsos Reid Public Affairs.

Braid said the results showed that people are concerned about safety and security in the vehicle-for-hire industry.

“In this particular case you can add to the list that when there is a new service like this, people have expectations that government will look after safety and consumer protection,” he said.

“I think the key word here is safety. If you look at the issues here that rise to the top, most of them are around vehicles passing safety checks, drivers passing police checks and being licensed and insured.”

The survey found that 67 per cent of respondents believe ridesharing should be subject to the same regulations as taxis, and that 93 per cent say drivers should pass background checks.

It also delved into whether drivers and corporations should pay taxes on their income, meet immigration rules and meet the same level of customer service standards as taxis. In all cases respondents rated those issues highly.

The only question respondents didn’t feel strongly about is whether companies must make an investment in the local community. Only 45 per cent felt that was important.

Carolyn Bauer, president of the taxi association, said the poll results show the public isn’t willing to compromise safety and security, and that companies like Uber must meet the same standards as taxi services.

The poll comes as Uber continues to push the provincial government to change legislation to permit it to operate in B.C. On Tuesday it announced a new campaign, called UberPitch, in which it matches entrepreneurs with investors such as Hootsuite’s Ryan Holmes for 15-minute free rides.

Uber began advertising for drivers for Vancouver in March, even though it doesn’t have provincial or civic authority yet to operate. It also launched another campaign to pressure the province to change legislation.

Peter Fassbender, the TransLink minister, said he wasn’t going to be swayed.