Uber vows to keep Surrey service going despite mayor's threats
Credit to Author: Mike Smyth| Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2020 17:32:18 +0000
Ride-hailing giant Uber is vowing to keep operating in Surrey despite an official eviction notice from the city and threats from taxi-defending Mayor Doug McCallum.
Uber started operating in Metro Vancouver on Friday after receiving provincial approvals the day before. But McCallum said the company should not be given a local business licence and the city sent an official cease-and-desist letter to Uber on Friday night.
But Uber cars were still roaming Surrey streets on Saturday morning.
“Surrey has requested that Uber pause operations, but we respectfully decline,” the ride-hailing company said in a statement. “No other city is taking this approach.”
Uber and main competitor Lyft both received provincial operating approval on Thursday. Lyft confined its initial operations to Vancouver, where the city issued both companies a municipal business licence.
But Uber quickly branched out to other Metro municipalities, including the Surrey neighbourhoods of Newton, Fleetwood and Panorama Ridge.
On Friday, the city told Uber to get out of town.
“City staff has contacted Uber and advised that Surrey city council has not yet provided its official position on how it wishes to deal with ride-hailing business licences,” said Rob Costanzo, the city’s general manager of corporate services.
“Until a decision is made, ride-hailing companies are precluded from operating within Surrey’s boundaries.”
But Michael van Hemmen, Uber’s manager for western Canada, said Surrey can’t keep the company out.
“The Passenger Transportation Board and the provincial government have given Uber all necessary licences authorizing Uber to continue operating across Metro Vancouver and in the city of Surrey,” van Hemmen said Saturday.
The company’s smartphone app still showed Uber cars in service and accepting rides Saturday morning.
McCallum said he doesn’t want ride-hailing companies in Surrey because they hurt the city’s taxi cabs.
“Cab drivers live in Surrey and the modest wages they earn go to support their families,” the mayor said, before drawing a line in the sand at city hall.
“I will not be supporting the issuing of ride-hailing business licences.”
But van Hemmen said the threat of local fines won’t keep Uber out of Surrey.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support from people across Metro Vancouver,” he said.
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