The City of Delta is paving the way for ride-hailing services, following other cities in imposing its own separate fees.
The city issued a news release today stating it “has put a simple, clear, and transparent process in place to ensure ride-hailing companies will be able to operate as soon as they are ready and the Province has allowed them to do so.”
Ride-hailing companies wanting to operate in Delta will be required to pay a base annual business licence fee of $110, plus $25 per car with a cap per company of $1,500, consistent with the business licence fees paid by taxis that operate in Delta.
“We have established a simple and reasonable business licensing system for ride-hailing to ensure that we are treating ride-hailing companies and taxis fairly while allowing our residents to access improved transportation services. We look forward to ride-hailing companies operating in Delta as soon as the Province allows them to,” said Mayor George Harvie.
Delta’s fees are the lowest in the region.
“This interim approach will allow for ride-hailing companies to operate in the community while Delta continues working with its regional counterparts to establish an inter-municipal licensing system. At that point, the Delta‑specific fees would no longer be charged,” the city explains.
The City of Burnaby has approved a $510-a-vehicle business licence, the highest in the region but in line with what taxis are charged.
Other cities, such as Vancouver at $100, have various rates.
A report this week to Delta council notes that, so far, one ride-hailing company has applied to operate in the municipality.
Staff are processing that application as part of normal procedures and are not holding up the process for any ride-hailing companies wanting to operate in Delta, the report adds.
