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September 25, 2017 - 8:00 PM
ENDERBY - Enderby thinks ride-sharing services like Uber could be as popular in rural communities as big cities.
The North Okanagan municipality is trying to convince the provincial government to implement a ride-sharing regulation in B.C. with an eye to addressing transportation challenges in small, rural and remote communities.
“A lot of our services are provided out of Salmon Arm… but our bus only goes there on Wednesdays. If you’re required to go there it can become difficult,” Mayor Greg McCune says.
Enderby council brought a resolution to this week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities conference asking the Province to support the idea. The resolution is backed by the Southern Interior Local Government Association.
“We are basically asking the Province… as they look at their regulations, make sure it’s for more than say Kelowna and Vancouver,” McCune says. “It could benefit rural communities greatly if there was some policy and regulation to it.”
In addition to filling a transportation gap for seniors and other members of the population who may not drive, McCune says a regulated ride-sharing service could provide economic benefits as well.
“We’ve got some retired people here who I think wouldn’t mind making a few extra bucks,” McCune says.
Enderby does not currently have a taxi service, McCune says, so people who don’t have vehicles and need to get around often have to rely on friends and family for transportation.
The recommendation will be considered by the province.
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