CLAIRE Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, on Thursday said that the government for the past several months has been working with ICBC and the taxi industry to create a new insurance product option for taxi drivers.

The insurance product will be based on the per-kilometre distance travelled with passengers aboard and is equivalent to what is available for ride-hailing vehicles.

She said: “In the near future, taxi drivers who want this new product will be able to switch their insurance, with coverage beginning in the spring. Drivers who wish to keep their current form of coverage will not be affected.”

She said this was part of the government’s “continued efforts to ensure fairness and opportunity for those who make a living in the passenger transportation industry and the passengers they carry.”

Also, Trevena said the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is talking with representatives from the taxi industry and other stakeholders to determine how to ensure funds from the 30-cents-per-trip fee being charged on ride hailing will help support a sustained and improved level of accessible vehicles on the road.

She said: “I want to thank all those who have been in contact with my office on these issues, particularly my colleagues in the legislative assembly who have been strong advocates for their constituents.

“While efforts continue to ensure safety and fairness, I am proud that our government refused to back down against pressures to abandon our regulatory measures on ride hailing. As a result, British Columbia now has the highest safety standards in North America.”