N.S. government makes licensing change for taxi, ride-hailing services

The Nova Scotia government is changing the licensing rules to reduce costs and "administrative burdens" for taxi and ride-hailing services.

"We have been working on this for some time," Transportation Minister Lloyd Hines said Thursday, "and meeting with the ride-hailing companies."

On Tuesday, Halifax regional council approved changes that will allow companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in the municipality. But officials with Uber said the ball was in the province's court when it comes to the requirements of a Class 4 licence.

The response from the transportation minister, two days later, involves the creation of a restricted Class 4 licence that will not require a road-and-knowledge test. That will save people a $68 retesting fee.

All other requirements for a Class 4 license, including a medical assessment, will remain.

"It keeps the playing field even," said Hines."And I believe sevenout of 10 provinces have a similar process."

A standard Class 4 license to drive an ambulance or small bus will still require the knowledge-and-road test.

The new regulations take effect immediately.

Uber, Lyft respond

A spokesperson for Uber said the company is pleased with the decision.

"Uber thanks Premier [Stephen]McNeil, Minister Hines, Mayor [Mike] Savage, and HRM Council for their leadership and work on these issues over the past year," they said in an email."And we look forward to sharing more about our local plans with Haligonians in the very near future."

In an email, a spokesperson for Lyft said the move represents"a milestone to help get ridesharing in the great province of Nova Scotia."

"It is clear residents want additional transportation options and we are exploring our options for bringing Lyft to more communities in Canada in the future," the email said.

Neither spokesperson provideda date for when the services would be coming to Nova Scotia.

The leader of the Official Opposition, Tim Houston, said in an email that the government's decision "is long overdue"and that "Nova Scotia is catching up with the rest of the world by taking steps to allow ride-sharing and ride-hailing services."