Uber close to return in Portland, Oregon, with regulations

PORTLAND, Ore. — Months after suspending operations in Portland, Uber is on the verge of the returning to the city and operating under regulations.

The city’s Private For-Hire Innovation Task Force released details Monday of a 120-day pilot program allowing ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate legally. The City Council is expected to approve the rules.

Among other things, the proposed regulations require Uber drivers to have liability insurance and undergo background checks. They would not be allowed to accept street-hailed fares or park in taxi lines.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Traditional cab companies, however, say the playing field would remain uneven. Regular cabs can’t charge more than $2.60 per mile, while Uber would be allowed to boost prices when demand is high — except during emergencies.

For at least the trial period, Uber also wouldn’t be required to have wheelchair-accessible vehicles or accept every request for a ride.

“When somebody needs a short ride that’s really on the edge of Portland, we have to provide that service at a loss,” said Raye Miles, president of Broadway Cab. “The fact that Uber is not going to have to provide that service while we still do is one of the biggest burdens we face.”

Uber, a San Francisco-based startup, allows prospective customers to use a phone app to hail and pay a driver who uses his own car. Unlike a traditional cab in Portland, the car does not have to be painted in the company’s colors or be equipped with meters and cameras.

Uber launched Portland service in December, but stopped within two weeks after the city took legal action. The sides agreed to let things settle for a few months while a task force established regulations that would cover ride-sharing companies.

Dana Haynes, spokesman for Mayor Charlie Hales, said getting Uber to accept regulations is a success for Portland.

“The city set out to do a specific thing that a lot folks were saying: ‘Oh you can’t do that, because no one ever has.’ Well, it looks like so far Portland has,” he said.

Haynes added that Uber has paid $67,750 in fines from the period when it operated illegally.

Mike Greenfield, who chairs the task force, said consumer protection and ensuring safety were priorities for the committee. Permanent recommendations will be influenced by data — on demand, wait times and other issues — collected during the 120-day trial period.

“We are particularly interested in transportation for people with disabilities, to figure out what wait times are and what the needs are,” he said.

Brooke Steger, Uber’s general manager for the Pacific Northwest, said the company looks forward to returning to Oregon’s largest city: “We appreciate that the task force has crafted strong recommendations to help ensure ridesharing has a home in Portland.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Driver survives guardrail running through car in Everett crash on I-5

Driver hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

People swim in the Yost Pool during Open Fitness and Lap Swim on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Feeling the heat in Snohomish County: How hot will it get where you live?

Everett is expected to hit low 80s with inland areas reaching near 90.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Pat Cronin and Jamie Lyon look over a zoning district map draft of Everett on display during an Everett Planning Department open house at Everett Station on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett to release final draft of comp plan

The city will release the draft of the planning document on May 30, staff said. It will likely go to a vote before the council in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.