The Burnaby RCMP was involved in a sting this week to catch illegal drivers in the city. Police worked with Passenger Transport Council officers to catch drivers receiving fares outside of illegal and unregistered applications. One of those caught in the bite actually tried to avoid the police by driving on a sidewalk, but did not get far, the RCMP said in a tweet. In all, four drivers were arrested and 18 tickets were issued, according to police, and the vehicles were confiscated. This comes just weeks after the BC Transport Minister issued a formidable warning about illegal transport services operating in Burnaby, saying they were receiving advice on these applications and had a enforcement plan. “I would say that those who are in this industry, there will be significant penalties that will really affect their ability to ever work in the land transport industry and they should stop doing so immediately,” Rob Fleming recently told Glacier Media. And it is the drivers who will bear the consequences of the fines for driving without a professional license, proper insurance and other irregularities. For the past two years, Burnaby RCMP members have partnered with other services, such as the Passenger Transportation Board, to execute a series of stings that have earned tens of thousands of dollars from illegal drivers. Because their services are not licensed, drivers do not have proper commercial vehicle insurance, their vehicles do not necessarily meet vehicle safety standards and have not been properly inspected, trained, monitored or disciplined. In addition to the appropriate driving license, drivers must also undergo a criminal record check of vulnerable persons. In addition, the riding company must have insurance to cover accidents. The ICBC warns passengers using illegal driving that the vehicle may not have the required safety to protect passengers in the event of a collision. Fleming said that while he would prefer to be postponed to the Secretary of Public Security on the matter, there are “a number of ongoing investigations”, with crackdowns involving the ICBC and the Passenger Transport Council. “Enforcement strategies are being followed to ensure that this risk to the traveling public is addressed,” he added.
Reported by NOW Cornelia Naylor, and Maria Rantanen and Nono Shen, Richmond News
