Metro area residents, tired of waiting sometimes hours on the weekend to get a cab, have launched a petition calling for the capital city to allow ride-sharing services.

Both the capital city and the province indicate they’re open to the introduction of ride-sharing services, with each level of government playing a role in regulation of ride-sharing.

The City of St. John’s says it is open to any new business, including ride-sharing companies, but before it can regulate rideshare companies, the province first needs to amend the Highway Traffic Act to have companies like Uber and Lyft classified as a taxi.

The Department of Digital Government and Service NL meanwhile says should a ride-sharing service, like Uber, decide to operate in the province, the driver is required to hold a Class 4 taxi driver’s licence and have the same type of insurance coverage as taxis or other ride-sharing operators.

The department says municipalities regulate taxis and other vehicles for hire.