EUGENE, Ore. — The city of Eugene has fined the ride-sharing company Uber $2,000 for failing to get a city license, and a city official says the penalty could be imposed daily.
But whether Uber appeals the fine or pays up is questionable, since the company and others like it have ignored fines and resisted regulation in other cities, the Eugene Register-Guard reported Thursday.
Uber began operating in Eugene and neighboring Springfield in July. As in other cities, that angered traditional cab companies that have to get licenses and pay annual fees.
Assistant City Manager Sarah Medary said that if Uber doesn’t pay the fine, the city could impose additional fines of up to $2,000 a day.
An Uber worker didn’t say whether it would pay, appeal or ignore the fines, but it promised to support users and the independent contractors who provide the rides.
Uber “will continue to defend the rights of the people of Eugene who already rely on Uber to connect them with a safe, reliable ride as well as stand behind our partners who rely on the platform to support their small businesses,” said Brooke Steger, general manager in the company’s Seattle office.
Users download the Uber app and use it to hail rides. Uber takes a cut from the fares, which are paid electronically.
In Oregon, Uber has met resistance in Portland, where it hasn’t begun business, and in Salem, where it has.
But it recently was welcomed in four Portland suburbs: Gresham, Tigard, Hillsboro and Beaverton. The suburban rollout means drivers could be picking up fares in the suburbs and driving them into the city.
In Eugene, city officials are considering rule changes that could apply in Springfield as well. Eugene manages licensing for the two cities.
Medary met with City Council members on Wednesday to present a proposed change to regulations that would allow taxi companies to use smartphone technology to display passenger fares, in addition to traditional meter displays.
Next year, the city staff will seek opinions and rule changes to get ride-sharing and traditional taxi companies under the same rules, and council members said that work should be done as soon as possible.
“It’s clear that we are going to be dealing with this for a while, and we should deal with it sooner rather than later,” council member Mike Clark said. “We have the ability to develop a level playing field for everybody to make sure that (passengers) are safe and public isn’t being gouged.”
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