Taxi owners plan to beat ride hailing companies at their own game

For cab company owners, the arrival of ride-hailing is a real threat. Their response to that threat could be described by the old saying that goes: 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.'

A group of taxi company owners have banded together as the Okanagan Taxi Association to launch their own ride-hailing service under the name: 'Safe Ride-Sharing'.

The finer points of how the ride-sharing service will operate are still being worked out. "It's in the planning stages," admits Roy Paulson, of Kelowna Cabs. But it's believed that the consortium may take advantage of it's existing supply of drivers to make sure that uses of the ride-hailing service. "It will make drivers readily available," said Paulson. "The driver can park his taxi to do the ride-hailing." The consortium brings together the owners of Checkmate Cabs, Kelowna Cabs and Apple Cabs.

As the arrival of ride-hailing began to look inevitable the tax industry argued that it was creating an uneven playing field and that it would drive down the wages of drivers.

Victoria-based 'Lucky To Go' has announced its plans to begin service in Kelowna starting July 1. The taxi association's 'Safe Ride-Sharing' is not committing to a start date yet. "Very soon," said Paulson, when asked about the time table.

The local taxi operators plan to appeal to the local riding public as the only locally-based company in the mix. "Why not keep the money right here in the Okanagan?" asked Paulson.

More details about the plans are expected at a news conference scheduled for 2 pm tomorrow at the offices of Kelowna Cabs.