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Information for Passengers of Commercial Passenger Vehicles in B.C.

Last updated on August 31, 2021

Commercial passenger transportation services include taxis, ride hail, charter buses, limousines, party buses, and inter-city buses. BC Transit and TransLink are not commercial services. Read below for passenger information for using commercial passenger services.
 
ride hail

Register a Complaint

  • For immediate safety issues (e.g. impaired driving) call 911 immediately.
  • Other complaints should be directed to the company first
  • If you are not satisfied with the company's response, lodge a complaint with regulators by contacting Consumer Protection BC toll-free at 1-888-564-9963 or file a complaint on the website.

Passenger Tips for Ride Hail

Follow these tips for using a ride-hail service

  • Always book your trips through the company website or app
  • Verify that the vehicle and driver identity match the information provided in the app before you enter the vehicle
  • Look for the company logo on the front or rear windshield (see example in the graphic below)
  • Do not hail a ride-hail vehicle from the street. It is illegal for a ride-hail driver to pick up a street hail
  • Ensure your trip fare is stated prior to accepting a trip, and paid for via credit card on the website or app

Photo of ride hail vehicle identifiers

 

Differences between Taxis and Ride Hail

 
Taxi Services Ride-Hail Services
Can be hailed from the street Cannot be hailed from the street
May be booked through an app, phone, or website Can only be booked through an app, website, or digital dispatch system
Charge fares when the passenger is dropped off States trip fares prior to pick up when the booking is confirmed
Have more payment options (e.g. app, visa, debit, or cash) May only receive payment through the ride-hail app
Display vehicle identifiers such as Passenger Transportation plate or company-specific unit number Display ride-hail vehicle identifiers such as company name/logo
 
Taxi Vehicles Ride-Hail Vehicles

Outside the Vehicle there is a

  • Passenger Transportation numbered plate displayed on the front of the vehicle
  • Car number
  • Top light on the vehicle roof

Outside the Vehicle:

  • Colour of vehicle and licence plate number that matches the description in the app
  • Company name/logo

Inside the Vehicle there is

  • a car number
  • a driver record check certificate which includes the driver’s name & photo identification (including driver number)
  • a Taxi Bill of Rights
  • Fare and baggage charge information
  • Information on how to register a complaint
  • a taxi meter (some small communities have board approved flat rates and a meter is not a requirement)

Inside the Vehicle:

  • No information is required to be displayed inside a ride-hail vehicle, but specific information must be available to passengers in the company app prior to them entering the vehicle:
    • Driver’s first name
    • Driver’s photo
    • Vehicle make, model, colour
    • B.C. licence plate number
  • There are other requirements respecting advance fare information, GPS tracking, and electronic receipts that must be made available to passengers through the company app

Passenger Tips for Party Buses

  • it is illegal to drink alcohol in any vehicle