Launch Your All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation Business in Burnaby
This page is your practical starting point for launching an All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation business in Burnaby. It lays out exactly what you’ll need to get legally operating, with a simple overview of the six requirements, the permits involved, and the costs you should expect. Expect a clear, checklist-style guide that walks you from registration to your first trip, with real-world tips to stay compliant and focused, including the NAICS 485999 classification.
You’ll learn the six requirements you must meet, plus the permits and licenses you'll need at provincial and city levels. We cover insurance, driver qualifications, vehicle standards, safety plans, and service-area rules. We also outline typical startup costs—registration, insurance, inspections, and fees—and provide a realistic timeline, so you can plan month by month and avoid common delays.
Burnaby's growing transit network, easy access to Vancouver’s markets, and a business-friendly environment make it a smart place to grow an all-other-transit operation. This city-specific guide helps you turn your plan into action—fast, smoothly, and with confidence.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is the Business Number (BN) Registration. This federal number is what you’ll use to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency for taxes, payroll, and government programs. You cannot legally run a transit or ground passenger service without a BN, and you’ll need it before you can enroll in GST/HST, set up payroll deductions, or open business accounts. In short, this BN is non-negotiable.
Next come the operational health and safety and permit steps. You’ll need WorkSafeBC coverage and registration to protect your workers and stay compliant with provincial rules. The Transport Canada Operating Certificate is listed for certain types of passenger transport, but verify whether your Burnaby service requires it; in many everyday ground-transport operations it does not. Always align safety practices with your service model and applicable standards.
Business Registration & Tax: BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) is required if you plan to operate under a name other than your own, and you’ll also rely on your BN for government dealings. Pair this with GST/HST Registration for sales tax collection and Payroll Deductions Registration for withholdings and payroll reporting.
Encouragement and next steps: Start by securing the BN and BC name registration, then move on to GST/HST and payroll registrations, and finally arrange WorkSafeBC coverage and any required transport certificates after you’ve mapped your service. This is a lot, but take it one step at a time. Consider talking to a business advisor or the Burnaby business licensing office to ensure you’re on the right track.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a all other transit and ground passenger transportation in Burnaby:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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Transport Canada Operating Certificate ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Passenger transportation services may require operating certificates from Transport Canada depending on service type and interprovincial operations. Transport Canada general operating certificate. Motor carrier, aviation, marine, rail. Mode-specific requirements. Contact TC: 1-800-333-0371.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your all other transit and ground passenger transportation:
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The Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF) is a $2.75 billion federal program running from 2021 to 2026 that advances Canada's commitment to electrify public transit and school bus fleets. The fund supports both planning projects (feasibility studies, transition plans, up to 80% of eligible costs) and capital projects (vehicle procurement, …
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