Driver shortage stalls service

BY PIETA WOOLLEY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

When Ryan Staley started Coastal Rides back in early 2020, he was the main driver. Like a local Uber, he used his own vehicle and a ride-hailing app to drive folks around the Lower Coast at possibly the worst time to start a company ever: the beginning of COVID.

But the former Vancouverite and transit user was determined to make it work. And it has. Coastal Rides has expanded on the Lower Coast, the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Fort St. John, and in a limited way, here in qathet.

What’s holding it up here? Finding gig drivers who are willing to put in the time to develop a customer base.

“It takes someone who can be patient and provide the trips when it’s not busy enough for it to be worthwhile – yet,” said Ryan. “But they need to be consistent for the service to take off. Once it’s busy, it’s great for the drivers. They get paid really well.”

Currently, the one qathet driver will take on longer trips – for example, downtown to Lund. The driver on Texada provided service for two years, Ryan said. Now they’re looking for drivers on Texada again.

Ryan is watching the City’s Zunga Bus closely, and has reached out for possible collaborations.

Ride-hailing, he believes, is a critical piece of the future of rural transportation.

FILLING HOLES IN THE SYSTEM: Coastal Rides owner Ryan Staley with one of his vehicles, at BC Ferries Langdale terminal. On his first trip to Sechelt, Ryan spent hours at this terminal, with other stranded travellers, waiting for the public bus to arrive. Bus service, he said, has improved since then.