Lyft and Uber Have Launched in the Streets of Metro Vancouver

After getting approval yesterday from the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) to operate in B.C.’s Lower Mainland and Whistler, Lyft and Uber have already hit the streets of Metro Vancouver.

Lyft held a press conference this morning to announce it will be operating in the core of the City of Vancouver, as well as bringing service to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE).

“We’ve been working collaboratively with the local community, our partners, the Province, the Passenger Transportation Board and municipalities to bring Lyft to the region — and the wait is over,” said Peter Lukomskyj, General Manager, Lyft B.C., in a statement to iPhone in Canada. “Now that Lyft has launched, we’re excited to offer riders a new way to explore their city, and drivers a flexible way to earn income.”

According to Lyft, it is the official ridesharing partner for the Vancouver Canucks, Grouse Mountain, PNE and Vancouver Pride Society, along with partnerships with Tourism Vancouver and Covenant House Vancouver.

The minimum Lyft fare starts at $5 (including the service fee and base fare) and extra kilometres are charged at $0.65/km and $0.33 per minute.



Lyft says it will be donating $5 per ride for the first 10,000 Lyft rides in Vancouver, to Covenant House Vancouver.

Uber also hit the road today in Metro Vancouver, less than 24 hours after getting approval by the PTB.

“Riders across Metro Vancouver now have more affordable options to get to where they need to go, when they need to,” said Head of Western Canada for Uber, Michael van Hemmen, to News1130.

Let us know how your first Lyft or Uber ride was in Metro Vancouver. This has been a long time coming.