The Board announced on February 18, 2026 that it is updating TNS minimum rates for all five passenger transportation regions in B.C. in 2026. The following minimum rates are effective 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 |
The Passenger Transportation Board (Board) sets minimum rates to be charged for ride-hail (TNS) trips in B.C. in all passenger transportation regions.
Minimum rates are set by the Board based on the higher of two values: one calculated using regional public transit fare data, and the other calculated using TNS fare distribution data derived from the trip database containing licensee submissions. This is based on objectives:
- To protect public transit investments, incentives, and ridership by ensuring TNS minimum rates that are higher than (average) public transit rates; and
- To reflect real world, market-based conditions and protect against temporary market failures, price collapses, and the potential for predatory pricing.
The Board reviews TNS rates on an annual basis and uses data from the previous calendar year to reflect recent market conditions and monitor whether the objectives above are being met.
Ride-hail companies use dynamic pricing to manage supply and demand for their services. During peak periods, they increase rates to attract more drivers (i.e., more supply). During off-peak periods, they attract more passengers by lowering rates (i.e., more demand). Dynamic pricing is a flexible approach to setting the cost of a service. It’s meant to reflect changing market conditions and to incentivize behaviour.
For ride-hail trips, passengers agree to pay an up-front or estimated fare and that fare must not fall below the minimum rate set by the Board.
