Lyft runs in Metro Vancouver. We found no sign of it on Vancouver Island, where Uber and a few local companies cover the ground. Here is what is confirmed, what is not, and what to check before you count on either app.
Does Lyft work in BC?
Yes, in the Lower Mainland. Lyft and Uber both started in Metro Vancouver on January 24, 2020, a day after the Passenger Transportation Board approved them. At launch you could only hail a Lyft in the core of Vancouver, around the PNE and at YVR, and Lyft said the area would grow as more drivers signed up.
Lyft’s own Vancouver page still lists the city, with four ride types: Standard, Extra Comfort, XL and Black.
What about Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island?
We could not find any source that says Lyft runs in Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna or anywhere outside the Lower Mainland. Uber is a different story. In May 2023 the Passenger Transportation Board let Uber operate beyond the Lower Mainland, and in 2024 Uber said it would cover the province from early 2025, “Nanaimo to Fort St. John and everywhere in between”.
On Vancouver Island, plan on Uber, a local taxi, or Coastal Rides, a locally owned rideshare company. Open the app before you set out, because a ride only exists where drivers are online. Our Victoria and Nanaimo pages list the taxi companies with phone numbers.
Lyft and Uber side by side
| Lyft | Uber | |
|---|---|---|
| Where in BC | Metro Vancouver, according to Lyft’s Vancouver page | Metro Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna since 2023, province-wide expansion announced for 2025 |
| Ride types | Standard, Extra Comfort, XL, Black | Varies by area, see the app |
| Price | Shown upfront, and higher when it is busier than usual | Shown upfront, and higher when demand is high |
| Airport | Lyft advertises scheduled airport rides up to 90 days ahead | Pickup spots differ by airport, see the app |
| Tips | All of the tip goes to the driver under BC rules | All of the tip goes to the driver under BC rules |
Which one costs less?
We cannot say. Lyft does not publish a rate card for BC and we found no fare examples, so we do not estimate Lyft prices. Both apps show a price before you confirm and both charge more when demand rises, so open both for the real number.
For a rough idea of what a rideshare costs on your route, use the fare estimator. It works from an average rideshare rate, not from Lyft’s.
What changed for drivers in 2024
Since September 3, 2024, BC rules for app-based ride-hail work set a minimum of $20.88 an hour while a driver is engaged on a trip, 35 to 45 cents per kilometre for vehicle costs, and 100 percent of tips to the driver. They apply to Lyft, Uber and similar apps. As a passenger, that means a tip in the app goes to the person driving you.
Quick answers
Can I use Lyft at Vancouver Airport?
Lyft’s Vancouver page advertises scheduled airport rides up to 90 days ahead. It does not spell out the YVR pickup rules, so check the app for the pickup spot when you land.
Is there Lyft on Vancouver Island?
We found nothing that says so. Check the app for your pickup address, and keep a taxi number handy. The estimator and our list of taxi companies help you compare.
Does Lyft have wheelchair-accessible rides in BC?
We could not confirm it. If you need an accessible vehicle, call a taxi company that lists accessible vans, for example the ones on our Vancouver page, and book ahead.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: Lyft’s Vancouver page, Daily Hive, CityNews, CTV News and Uber’s newsroom.