Uber trying again to get into Kelowna

Despite the rejection of Uber’s application for a license to operate in Kelowna, the company is seeking an alternative route to operate in the city.

In December 2021, the Passenger Transportation Board ruled the ride-hailing company, which has been operating in the Lower Mainland and Whistler since January 2020, would cause undue harm to existing ride-hailing companies in the rest of the province.

Part of the board’s reasoning to deny the application was that it saw evidence indicating a weaker demand for passenger transportation since the pandemic started.

At the time, Mayor Colin Basran issued a statement saying Kelowna’s airport is one of the largest in Canada without a ride-hailing service.

READ MORE: Kelowna mayor plans to fight province's decision to deny Uber expansion

There are different ways to be issued a license through the Passenger Transportation Board, according to an Uber statement.

It is currently applying for a different licence that would allow Uber to transfer an existing licence from an operator in Kelowna to the company. It did not say what that company is but public information will be published on the transportation board’s website.

Since the board’s rejection, pandemic restrictions have eased in the province and the demand for urban transportation has increased, according to Uber.

Uber is optimistic it will be able to operate in Kelowna by winter but it also depends on the transportation board’s decision.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.