New TNS minimum rates (2026)

New TNS minimum rates (2026)

February 18, 2026

The Passenger Transportation Board (Board) is establishing new minimum rates for all companies providing transportation network services (TNS) in B.C., also known as ride-hail services. Key facts and dates:

  • Following consultations with the TNS sector in 2025, the Board decided to establish new minimum TNS rates in each region, and update them annually.
  • New TNS minimum rates in each passenger transportation region in B.C. will be in effect on August 18, 2026.
  • Licensees have six months from the date of this notice to implement the new minimum rates in all regions they operate in.
  • The Board will be updating TNS rates for each region on an annual basis going forward to account for inflation and other changes in market conditions. 
  • Prior to this update, TNS minimum rates had not been changed since the introduction of TNS in B.C. in 2019.

What are the new TNS minimum rates? 

New TNS minimum rates for each region are listed in Appendix A of this notice, and on the Board’s website.

Licensees providing TNS services in B.C. must charge rates that do not permit the cost of any ride to fall below the minimum rates stated in Board Rates Rule 17- TNS minimum rates, which will be updated on August 18. Rates are individually calculated and set for each B.C. passenger transportation region. 

Rates Rule 16- Standard Rules for TNS requires that any coupons or discounts offered to passengers do not cause the trip fare to fall below the TNS minimum rates.

How are TNS minimum rates calculated by the Board?

TNS minimum rates are set by the Board using:

  • Public transit fare data from across B.C., and
  • TNS trip database fare percentile analysis from the previous calendar year. 

The Board’s approach is based on:

  • Protecting public transit ridership, incentives, and investments, 
  • Providing a backstop to guard against predatory pricing,
  • Minimizing distortion of the current TNS market in B.C., and 
  • Aligning TNS rates with the Board’s mandate as a data-driven, evidence-based economic regulator.

Why are TNS minimum rates being updated?

The Board has not updated TNS minimum rates in B.C. since TNS was integrated into the regulatory framework in B.C. in 2019. 

Since that time, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the passenger transportation industry to the extent that the Board did not have sufficient data to analyze and consider updates to minimum rates. Over the last few years, the Board’s data has become more comprehensive and is now sufficient to make decisions about revising minimum rates.

Were licensees consulted? 

Following consultations with the TNS sector in 2025, the Board decided to establish new minimum rates in each region, and update them annually. 

How will TNS minimum rates be updated in future?

In support of its mandate as a data-driven and evidence-based decision-maker, the Board will continue to monitor TNS trip data and public transit fares across B.C. to ensure that the policy objectives listed above are being met.

TNS minimum rates will be reviewed and updated, as necessary, on an annual basis. 

Do TNS licensees have to wait until August to implement new minimum rates?

No, licensees are free to implement new TNS minimum rates into their platform at any time prior to August 18, 2026. The Board is giving licensees six months to ensure adequate time to implement changes, as requested during 2025 consultations with TNS licensees.

Resources

The following documents and resources provide additional information and reference material for understanding TNS rates in B.C.: 

Rates Rules Manual – Rules 16-17

Web page – TNS rates

More information

For further information on this update to TNS minimum rates, please do not hesitate to contact the Board. The Board can be reached by emailing ptboard@gov.bc.ca or calling 250-953-3777.   

Appendix A

The following TNS minimum rates are in effect as of August 18, 2026:

Region

Current minimum rate

New (2026) minimum rate

1

$3.35

$4.43

2

$3.40

$6.03

3

$3.40

$3.94

4

$3.50

$3.95

5

N/A

$3.80

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