Uber aims to launch in Lower Mainland by late 2019, but uncertainty remains over rest of B.C.

People living in the Lower Mainland could be hopping in an Uber by late 2019.

But the ride-hailing service won't definitively say whether it will operate outside that region or insizeableB.C. municipalities such as Victoria and Kelownadue to the province's requirement that drivers hold a commercial license.

The companyannounced Wednesday it will apply to the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board to operate in region one, which includes Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Squamish, Whistler and Lilllooet.

That doesn't mean customers in all those areas will be able to use the app when it launches.

"Day 1, we likely will not be operating throughout all of region one,"Michael van Hemmen, Uber's head of Western Canada, told CBC News.

"It will likely be a smaller subset of region one, focused on Metro Vancouver proper. As we're able to attract drivers, we can consider more communities."

The transportation board will start accepting applications Sept. 3, with a processing time of six to eight weeks.

Van Hemmen says he's optimistic the service will launch before the holiday season. The company is waiting until closer to launch date to finalize which communities will have the service, based on the number of driver applications.

Licensing debate

The company says it remains interested in operating across B.C., but arguesthe province'sregulations have kneecapped their ability to operate in smaller municipalities by shrinking the pool of qualified drivers.

The B.C. government saysride-hailing drivers must hold a Class 1, 2, or 4 commercial licence, rather than a standard Class 5 license held by most drivers.

Only people overthe age of 19 can apply for acommercial licence. Drivers must have had fewer than four penalty point incidents in the past two years andno driving-related criminal convictions within the past three years.

Ubersays thelicence, which is required for taxi and limo drivers in B.C., will pose a significant barrier for drivers and reduce supply for passengers.

"The Class 4 license requires you to go to an ICBC testing centre and to write a test about a mini bus, a 25-passenger vehicle," van Hemmen said.

"We don't understand what that has to do with safety for driving a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic."

Ride-hailing company Lyfthas echoed Uber's criticisms and says it intends to start operating for now in the Lower Mainland, Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

Alberta also requires Class 4 licenses for ride-hailing drivers, andUber says that has shut out smaller markets such as Fort McMurray.

The company wants the B.C. government to reduce red tape by allowing Class 5 licenses, while weeding out unsafe drivers through ICBC driving record checks.

But B.C.Transportation Minister Claire Trevena has said she won't budge on the licence requirement, citing passenger safety.

Uber is encouraging prospective drivers to start the process to obtain a Class 4 licence with ICBC.