Coquitlam RCMP target illegal ride-hail companies in joint initiative

Coquitlam, Public Alert

2023-03-01 08:09 PST

File # Public Service Announcement

Coquitlam RCMP is teaming up with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Passenger Transportation Enforcement Officers (PTEOs) to disrupt unlicensed ride-hail operations within the Tri-Cities.

Ride-hail or Ride-share companies have increased in usage within British Columbia the last few years. In order to receive a Passenger Transportation license to operate a ride-hailing vehicle in British Columbia, the driver must have at minimum a Class 4 driver’s licence, proper insurance, criminal record (with vulnerable sector) check and a vehicle inspection that meets all provincial requirements within the past year. This is to ensure that the driver and passenger’s safety is maintained during the passenger transportation trip.

Legal ride-hailing companies are working within the Tri-Cities, however, there are many illegal ride-hailing companies – the most popular being Raccoon Go and UDI – who are operating illegally.
Police want to educate the public of these ride-hailing companies and provide some safety tips to ensure the customer’s safety.

To learn more about Passenger Transportation, please visit their website.

The dangers of using an illegal ride-hailing company means that they don’t have the provincial permits to operate and there is no guarantee the drivers are licensed, said Corporal Alexa Hodgins of the Coquitlam RCMP. With an unlicensed driver, the passengers could be uninsured, the car could be unsafe or the driver may not have completed a criminal record check.

Safety Tips for customers:

• Always book an approved ride-hailing service through the company’s website / app

For a full list of approved ride-hailing companies, visit Approved Ride-Hail Companies

• Ensure the driver’s picture on the app matches the driver who arrives
• Ensure the vehicle matches your booked vehicle

This includes licence plate and record check certificate is clearly displayed in the vehicle

• Ensure the company decal is prominently displayed in the front and rear windows before entering the vehicle

The sign must be issued by the licensee, must clearly display the company name/logo, and must be reflective (no paper copies)

• Never hail a ride-hailing vehicle from the street

Coquitlam RCMP and the ministry’s PTEOs are working to conduct roadside enforcement within the Tri-Cities targeting licensed and unlicensed ride-hailing companies. This initiative promotes road safety while educating the public of the legal requirements for ride-hailing.

Some of the fines for ride-hailing drivers can be costly, such as:

• Operating a commercial passenger vehicle without a permit, contrary to the section 57(1) of the BC Passenger Transportation Act ($1150)
• Operating a commercial passenger vehicle with the wrong class of driver’s license, contrary to section 24(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act ($276); and
• Operating a commercial passenger vehicle without a certificate of inspection, contrary to section 25.07(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations ($357)

In addition, operators can receive a Notice and Order requiring immediate inspection of their vehicles. Officers can then removed / tow the vehicles.

Anyone with information on unlicensed ride-hailing operations is asked to contact their police of jurisdiction. To contact the Coquitlam RCMP, please contact the non-emergency line at 604-945-1550, or a duty PTEO with the ministry at 604-527-2198 or passengertransportationbr@gov.bc.ca.

Released by:

Email: coquitlam_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: coquitlam.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

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