Six stings on illegal ride-hailing services over three months in Richmond resulted in more than $66,000 in fines handed out.
In total, 29 drivers were apprehended and charged in the stings conducted by the Richmond RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement (CVSE).
Cpl. Adriana O'Malley, Richmond RCMP media spokesperson, noted the risk passengers potentially face when using illegal ride-hailing apps.
“You don’t know who’s picking you up, you don’t know who that person is, you don’t know what their criminal record may be, what their driving history is, what kind of driver’s licence they possess,” O’Malley said. “So, you’re putting yourself at absolute risk by getting into the car with these illegal operators.”
Over the three months, drivers were caught with various violations such as driving with an "N" (novice) licence. One driver was even discovered to be a registered sex offender.
There's a reason the province has put in "strict regulations" for ride-hailing services, O'Malley said, which is "to protect the individuals who are using these ride-hailing services."
As part of the enforcement action, drivers received various charges including $1,150 for operating without a license under the Passenger Transportation Act, $276 for driving with the wrong class driver's licence and $357 for failing to display a valid certificate under the Motor Vehicle Act.
About one-third of the drivers were repeat offenders while one individual was caught for the third time.
To catch these drivers, RCMP and CVSE officers used unauthorized ride-hailing phone apps to book rides.
Insp. Mark Baxter, enforcement and administrative officer with the Richmond RCMP, explained there are numerous steps legal ride-hailing drivers must take to be certified to operate in B.C.
Some illegal drivers who were caught had poor driving records and prior convictions for impaired driving and the one driver was a registered sex offender.
"All of these are things which would preclude the person from working for a properly licensed operator," said Baxter.
For more information about approved ride-hailing services and operators, click here.
- with files from Maria Rantanen
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