The provincial government’s move to introduce ride-sharing services to Saskatchewan will likely be one of the most important measures taken during the fall sitting of the Saskatchewan legislature.
But the government should be cautious as it moves to bring in services such as Uber and Lyft to the province through.
Uber has proven to be popular in big cities such as Toronto. You can be certain it will be popular once it comes to Regina and Saskatoon as well.
But its greatest usefulness for Saskatchewan could prove to be in the small towns and villages that dot our province.
Saskatchewan’s issues with impaired driving are well-documented. This province has the highest drunk driving rates in the country. The province has tried tougher regulations, stiffer punishments and even emotional public relations campaigns, but the drunk driving rates remain high.
You can be sure that those rates aren’t going to diminish once marijuana is legalized next year.
Impaired driving is particularly troublesome in small communities and in rural areas, where taxi companies aren’t operating. After all, it would be impossible for a taxi company to break even in a community of 500 people.
While impaired driving is never an acceptable option, and should be punished harshly, there aren’t many options to get home for those who reside on a farm and go into a small town for a few drinks at the local bar.
A service like Uber or Lyft could prove to be very valuable. It would provide an option for a safe ride home that currently doesn’t exist. And the ride sharing service drivers don’t have the overhead or time commitment associated with a taxi company.
At the same time, ride sharing services need to be highly regulated, and there needs to be as much of a level playing field as possible between taxi companies and a ride-sharing service.
The government can’t create a double-standard. It can’t give preferential treatment to ride-sharing companies just because it’s a new service, or because of the value of the companies involved, or because of the potential it offers.
The drivers need a certain level of certification, the vehicles need to meet specific standards and the rates need to be regulated.
Some might think the arrival of ride-sharing services could spell the end of taxi companies, but taxis still have a very valuable role to play. There are those will still turn to taxis because they can’t drive, they need to get home safely after a night out, or to get somewhere when they can’t access their vehicle.
But taxi companies will have to adapt if Uber comes to Saskatchewan.
It would be a shame if taxi companies close and people lose their jobs to the arrival of an Uber.
A level playing field would be good for both sides, and for Saskatchewan people.
