It’s been a long time coming to get ride sharing in the Tournament Capital, according to the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, and earlier this week it was announced that Kabu-Ride would be launching in Kamloops on Canada Day.

Executive director Acacia Pangilinan says it is definitely welcome news. “Our network, through the BC Chamber, has been a long time advocate for ride-hailing. Although it has taken quite some time, we’re really, really pleased to see this finally happening.”

Pangilinan says the business community is happy to see different options available – for not just customers but for their staff as well. “The business community is happy to see some different options available, not only for their consumers but for their staff. We’ve heard lots of complaints from even restaurateurs whose staff work until late in the evening and then have difficulty catching a ride home.”

As for the impact to taxis, “it’s definitely a working relationship between the ride-hailing services and our taxi companies. I think that really the intention is for ride-hailing to supplement the services that our taxi companies already offer. And if anything, it just provides more options for the consumer. We still have quite a large demand within our taxi services.”

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Kamloops says it is good news that ride hailing is finally coming.

Ken Christian says he has been an advocate for ride hailing since the beginning. “I’m glad now that a number of companies have been issued licenses in the Kamloops area and we want them to do that in accordance with provincial regulation as well as our city licensing requirements.”

“Good on them. I think the demand is there and I think that it will provide Kamloops residents with another safe alternative to get home.”