The city of Portland is planning to draft new regulations for Uber, a venture-backed startup that provides app-based ride-share services in more than 140 cities.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the city plans to draft proposed rules for licensing, fees and conduct of ride-share services by February, which would then be sent to the City Council for consideration. Uber is currently not regulated by Portland because ride-share services are not addressed in the existing city code.
Jessica Grondin, the city’s spokeswoman, told the newspaper that Portland officials want Uber regulated to ensure passenger safety and to level the playing field with taxis and town-car services that are already regulated. She said many taxi cab drivers have complained to the city about issues of fairness. In addition, she said, one resident complained that a person claiming to be an Uber driver was belligerent to him when he refused a ride.
Kaitlin Durkosh, a spokeswoman for Uber, told the Press Herald that the company is welcome to “sensible regulations” and seeks to work with the city in developing them.
“Given ride-sharing is a new and innovative option in the transportation ecosystem, we’re eager to have a seat at the table during future discussions,” Durkosh said.
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