Uber (NYSE:UBER) finally has permission to operate in Vancouver, British Columbia.
In the last decade, Uber Technologies Inc. has spread to more than 60 countries, endured a major leadership shakeup and gone public with a valuation of more than $60 billion U.S. But despite all that, the company never had permission to operate in Vancouver.
But now, after eight years of lobbying and lawsuits, Uber has finally been granted a license to operate in Canada’s third largest city. Vancouver was one of Uber’s first targeted destinations outside the U.S., but provincial authorities quickly kicked them out. However, bowing to public demand and Uber’s lobbyists, the licensing tribunal in British Columbia has approved the ride sharing service for the City of Vancouver.
"We received authorization from the passenger transportation board to provide service across Metro Vancouver," Michael van Hemmen, an Uber spokesman, said at a press conference broadcast by Canadian media. "We expect to be available in the next few days."
Ride-sharing rival Lyft Inc. (NASDAQ:LYFT) was also granted provincial approval to operate in Vancouver. Both companies are now able to operate in the Vancouver area, as well as the ski-resort town of Whistler.
