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UPDATED: Uber and Lyft have launched service in Metro Vancouver

Download those apps NOW, because Uber and Lyft are live in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­already
Lindsay William-Ross
Lindsay William-Ross
uber
Uber has revealed they are starting service immediately in Metro Vancouver. V.I.A. file photo

The wait seemed like forever, and then Thursday came the news that Uber and Lyft were approved to operate in the lower mainland and Whistler, B.C.

 

Now, less than 24 hours later, Uber has revealed they are starting service immediately.

 

Uber will turn their app on Friday, January 24 at about 8 a.m. local time.

 

The ride-hailing company credits "a speedy turnaround from ICBC and the City of Vancouver" for their ability to launch so swiftly.

 

"Uber will launch today to connect riders with reliable and affordable rides in Metro Vancouver. Residents and visitors alike will now have more transportation options to get them to their destination," says Uber in a media release.

 

While Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­residents are thrilled to have another option, does leave some people out entirely.

 

uber-vancouver-service-area-mapUber's service map for the Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­area. Screenshot via Uber

The map indicates Uber will not go all the way into South Delta, cutting off before Tsawwassen, and will not cover all of West Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­- this means you cannot use Uber to and from either BC Ferries terminal. Cities such as Langley and White Rock are left out entirely. And while Surrey mayor Doug McCallum vowed to keep ride-hailing out of his city, Uber's service map includes a large portion of Surrey - but not all of it.

What remains unclear is how many drivers Uber will have on the roads. Stringent licencing requirements have posed a hiring challenge for the company.

Lyft was the other ride hailing service approved Thursday; on Friday morning they announced they would begin service today, Jan. 24, as well, however their service area is limited to some of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­and YVR Airport. Lyft says they plan to grow the service area.

 

 

lyft-map-vancouver-yvrScreenshot/Lyft

 

 

For the first 10,000 rides taken in B.C., Lyft will donate $5 per ride to Covenant House in B.C.

 

Two other companies that hoped to operate in B.C. were denied on Thursday. 

 

Citing concerns about both companies’ business plans, the board rejected applications from ReRyde Technologies, which intended to operate in Greater Victoria, the Island and the Okanagan, and Kater Technologies, which intended to operate in all regions of the province.

 

With a file from Andrew Duffy/Times Colonist

 

Note: Uber initially provided the time as 11 a.m., however issued a correction indicating the start time was 8 a.m. local time. We have updated our story accordingly.