The Premier says he will not consider it a failure if ride hailing companies aren’t operating on B.C. roads by Christmas.

“I don’t think it’s a failure if we get to the end result,” said John Horgan. “I think that life is about the journey and we are on the journey to realizing ride hailing. I think using terms like failure because you don’t meet a date, are irresponsible. I think we are driving to get this done.”

Horgan says 20 companies have applied in B.C., and he says the Passenger Transportation Board is trying to ensure that ride hailing companies and taxis can operate on the roads together. So far, eight ride hailing companies have applied to operate in the Kamloops area.

“If the travelling public has to wait longer, I regret that, but we want to make sure that we get it right. That’s more important than meeting a deadline,” he added.

“Racing to an end point only to have that disrupted by litigation is not the right way forward. The right way forward is to allow the process to run its course, and that’s what’s happening.”

Horgan says the number of people applying for a Class 4 licence in BC is also up 100 per cent, which he calls encouraging.

“I still remain convinced that goodwill will get us there,” Horgan noted. “We’re not yet in December, and I’m hopeful by Christmas we’ll be there.”

In a session ending news conference, the Premier noted that implementing ride hailing in B.C. would have gone a lot quicker if more work had been done on the file by the BC Liberals when they were in power.

But opposition critic Jas Johal says people in the province should be prepared to find designated drivers this holiday season, as he says it appears ride hailing remains stalled.