Nanaimo residents will have a new way to get around beginning next week, as the world’s biggest ridesharing platform extends its operations across B.C.
Uber announced this week that it will be rolling into Nanaimo on May 28, as part of a province-wide expansion that was first reported in November 2024.
“British Columbians and visitors alike are constantly opening the app to try and find a ride just like they can in most cities across the country,” Michael van Hemmen, Uber Canada’s general manager of mobility, said in a statement.
“It’s time that residents across the province have the access to rideshare as they do in Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna to help get them where they need to go.”
Uber first entered the B.C. market in 2020, launching across the Greater Vancouver area in January of that year.
In May 2023, the rideshare giant received approval from B.C.’s Passenger Transportation Board for a licence transfer from another rideshare company to operate across the province, and launched in Victoria and Kelowna a month later.
Next week, the app will go live across the entire province, said Keerthana Rang, corporate communications lead for Uber Canada.
Ride availability will vary depending on the number of drivers online in each area, Rang said, adding that Uber has been actively recruiting drivers in mid-sized cities like Nanaimo and Kamloops over the past few months.
“The more people sign up to drive, the better availability and wait times become over time,” she said.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said that while he welcomes Uber to the city, he is a strong supporter of local taxi services that he says have been providing excellent service for years.
“The introduction of Uber may well have a benefit for the public in encouraging the taxi industry locally to provide even better service than they already do,” said Krog, adding it’s important that the industry be regulated appropriately and the public interest be protected.
To encourage drivers to sign up in mid-sized cities and smaller towns, Uber is offering $500 for eligible drivers who complete their profile and do at least 10 trips within the first four weeks.
