Illegal ride-hailing operators were fined more than $14,000 last week in another two-day crackdown by Richmond RCMP and the Passenger Transportation Branch.
Seven drivers were found to be operating illegally and were subsequently charged with having the wrong licence or no licence and failing to display a valid certificate.
Furthermore, all seven drivers were charged under the City of Richmond business licence bylaw for operating a business without a license.
Fines totalled $14,641. Additionally, two repeat offenders had to pay for towing and storage of their vehicles.
Cpl. Peter Somerville with the Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit noted that making sure that all ride-hailing operators are licensed and vetted is “essential for the safety of our community.”
“Unlicensed operators not only violate regulations but also jeopardize the well-being of passengers,” Somerville said in a media statement. “Our ongoing efforts are aimed at maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance in Richmond’s transportation services, a crucial component of overall road safety.”
Over the two-day operation, RCMP officers and Passenger Transportation Branch members used unauthorized ride-hailing apps to book rides with unlicensed operators.
These apps bypass necessary background checks and safety protocols mandated by the province, RCMP said in its release.
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