Kamloops’ shuttle service partners with B.C.’s only province-wide ride-hailing company
KABU-Ride Inc. a ride hailing company based in Richmond, B.C. and founded in 2016 by a couple of tech entrepreneurs, is bringing its services to Kamloops starting. A team of drivers is ready in cars and larger buses to provide on call transportation from 11 a.m. on July 1.
KABU has partnered with Kamloops-based shuttle company TasteFull Excursions, who provides airport shuttle services to Sun Peaks.
Eventually KABU plans to operate 24/7, but initial services will be conducted with limited hours except for Friday and Saturday nights, when hours will be extended due to higher demand.
KABU communications director Martin van den Hemel said while they may not operate in Sun Peaks immediately, it’s in their plans to increase service in the mountain community by the end of the year. He added they are working out what that service may look like, but it will include rides from Kamloops to the resort and trying to fill that vehicle to transport passengers from Sun Peaks to Kamloops on it’s way back.
“It’s about how we can make this service simply fantastic in Kamloops and Sun Peaks,” he said. “We’re open to feedback and ideas.”
To hail a ride, residents can download the KABU app from the App store or Google Play store. Customers can select from a variety of options to accommodate their needs such as basic services, premium vehicles, or vehicles that can accommodate up to five adults.
KABU mentioned the partnership is strategic and is meant to help meet the diverse transportation requirements of Kamloops residents.
“KABU-Ride Inc. is excited to finally bring ride-hailing to Kamloops, and our Canadian
company is eager to help local residents, visitors, students, workers, and business
owners solve their daily transportation challenges,” said KABU president Billy Xiong.
TasteFull Excursion chief financial officer Gordon Stamp-Vincent echoed Xiong and said he expects the collaboration will help Kamloops residents.
“We are familiar with the service gaps for convenient and reliable transportation in Kamloops experienced by residents and visitors alike, and we see KABU and its team as a big part of the solution.”
Ease of transportation is expected to aid the restart of B.C.’s economy after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. KABU and TasteFull Excursions are hoping to provide services to customers once they begin to start travelling to local restaurants, malls and shops more frequently.
As well, KABU said they hope to provide more jobs to local drivers who hold class one, two, or four licenses.
“As B.C.’s economy slowly ramps up again, KABU wants to be part of the solution by
helping full-time and part-time drivers in Kamloops earn a living wage on a flexible schedule where they get to pick their hours,” Xiong said.“We are actively seeking drivers and if you’d like to be your own boss, and choose when you work, where you work and how long you work, fill in the application on our website at Kabu.ca”
Aside from aligning with KABU, TasteFull Excursions is currently working to get their normal operations back underway after the pandemic put a halt to the local tourism industry.
The shuttle company has added increased health and safety protocols to their operations which meet the guidelines put in place by WorksafeBC and wineries they take guests to.
“We have installed plexi-shields in two of our buses to start with and will operate with reduced seating, face masks, hand sanitizer plus thoroughly disinfect our vehicles before and after an excursion” said Maatje Stamp-Vincent, chief executive officer of TasteFull Excursions.
Riders and drivers will be required to wear a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Other services provided by TasteFull Excursions include transportation to Sun Peaks, wedding and corporate events, and guided experiences including breweries, culinary attractions, the BC Wildlife Park, and waterfall viewings in the Shuswap, Kamloops, and other locations in B.C.’s Interior.
“We are very pleased to accommodate but will be restricting tours to a minimum of four and a maximum of six people until further notice,” said Stamp-Vincent
TasteFull Excursions started in 2014 with a single vehicle and have grown to operate nine Ford Transit Vans, which helped them become the official transportation provider for Golf Kamloops and receive nominations for five Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards this year.
For more information on ride-hailing services visit KABU’s website and for more information on winery tours and other shuttle services visits TasteFull Excursions’ website.
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