The Richmond RCMP’s Road Safety Unit (RSU), in partnership with the Passenger Transportation Branch (PTB), handed out over $18k in fines to several illegal ride-hailing drivers earlier this month.
The “targeted enforcement operation” happened on June 13th and police say some unique apps were used.
“The covert operation, which utilized apps not authorized to operate in British Columbia, led to the identification and interception of several unlicensed drivers who were circumventing regulatory requirements, including background checks and vehicle inspections,” said Cpl. Adriana O’Malley in a release.
In total, the operation led to 25 charges for various infractions, including operating without a valid license, using a wrong class driver’s license, and failing to display a valid vehicle inspection certificate. Each driver faces a cumulative fine of $3,076, totalling $18,458 in total fines.
Police nabbed several repeat offenders, including one driver who was apprehended for the fourth time since 2021.
Crack down on unlicensed ride-hailing operators https://t.co/b02GxtoXBY pic.twitter.com/zobPUxWvup
— Richmond RCMP (@RichmondRCMP) June 24, 2024
“Unlicensed ride-hailing services pose significant risks to public safety due to the lack of proper vetting, including background checks and vehicle inspections. We are warning the public of the inherent risks of using unauthorized apps, which include unlicensed and uninsured drivers,” stressed Sgt. Eric Baskette of the Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit.
The BC Ministry of Transportation has a list of approved ride-hailing companies in BC that can be found on their website.
More local news:
- Convicted sex offender operating illegal ride-hailing service caught in Richmond
- Over $6600 in fines issued to three illegal ride-hailing drivers in Vancouver
- Truck driver fined over $530 for unsafely transporting large trees (PHOTOS)