B.C. Limousine Association Director says some drivers are breaking the rules

Ride-sharing may take another year to hit the ground in B.C., but Uber and Lyft may not be the only threat to cabbies.

B.C. Limousine Association Director Sarb Nagra says over the past couple years some limo drivers have been breaking the rules by picking up street passengers.

“We only can pick up if people pre-book with us, or if people call us. Legally, we cannot flag in downtown or anywhere else.”

He says once Uber gets going he wouldn’t be surprised if limo drivers make a habit of offering rides to people on the street, even if it’s illegal.

Asked about the issue on Friday, Premier John Horgan said it was not a problem he was aware of.

“I don’t know what the issue is so I can’t tell you what can be done about it.”

However, in an email to CKNW, the Ministry of Transportation said it knows about the issue and that legislation governing the industry — some of it dating back to 1924 — needs to be modernized.

Nagra says limo drivers who flag down customers are usually sub-contractors or owner-operators who only have one limousine and are trying to make ends meet.

“The problem is when people can’t find a taxi, they want some sort of ride, right.”

He says there are about 500 limousine licenses issued in Metro Vancouver, which includes stretch limos and SUV’s.

The BC NDP says more information is needed on ridesharing before before legislation is brought in.