Uber offering driver incentives in hopes of quick launch in Kelowna
Uber wants to load up on drivers in the hopes it can make a fast launch of its rideshare in Kelowna.
“It’s going to depend on how many drivers we have,” Keerthana Rang, Uber’s corporate communications lead for Canada, told iNFOnews.ca. “That’s why we’re working on getting drivers. Our hope is that, as soon as we know from (Passenger Transportation Board), that we can get rideshare up and running as soon as possible after that.”
Uber applied in September to take over the licences ReRyde had that cover all of B.C. outside Greater Vancouver, where Uber already operates.
It’s holding a “driver outreach” event in Kelowna next Wednesday, Nov. 2, but some drivers have already signed up online.
“The more drivers out there the better so we can make sure wait times are lowest and we have enough supply for the demand,” Rang said. “We are encouraging drivers with Class 1, 2, and 4 licences and safe driving records to sign up at uber.com.”
The company is offering incentives of $1,000 for drivers who complete their profile and take 20 trips within the first two weeks of its launch.
When that will be is, as yet, unknown since Uber hasn’t received any update from the provincial authority, although they’re hoping to be operating by Christmas.
It did apply for a licence in August 2020 but was turned down because, according to the Passenger Transportation Board, demand was down because of COVID-19 and there were plenty of other licences in the area.
READ MORE: Uber trying again for approval to operate in Kelowna and rest of B.C. Interior
If granted, the licence will allow Uber to operate all over B.C. but the focus, at first, is on Kelowna and Victoria.
What geofencing will be used in Kelowna depends on how many drivers sign up, Rang said. Right now, the expectation is to limit drivers to only pick up passengers within the City of Kelowna boundaries but, with enough drivers, that could expand into other areas in the Central Okanagan.
That geofencing range will be posted on the Uber website one the service launches.
Eventually, Uber could expand to places like Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton. Since the driver portal is open, drivers in those cities are welcome to sign in as well. That would give some indication of the level of interest and help with future expansion plans.
“We know there is demand for safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services across the province,” Rang said.
The outreach event will start at 1 p.m. at the Fairfield Inn and Suites at 1655 Powick Road. It will be a chance for potential drivers to meet with Uber representatives who can help them get their documents in order.
Another outreach event will also be held the following day, Nov. 3, at the same location from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- This story was corrected Oct. 29, at 8:55 a.m. to correct dates and times of events and clarify that Uber is not hoping to be up and running in Kelowna this fall, as the time period is currently unknown.
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