NEW: City Approves 242 New Taxi Permits

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Friday, February 13, 2015

Joanna Evoniuk, GoLocalPDX Contributor

The The City’s Private for Hire Transportation Board of Review approved 242 new taxi permits on Thursday, in response to public interest for more taxi service in the city, according to the Portland Bureau of Transportation. 

Dispatch software in taxies has revealed a shortage of available vehicles when they are demanded most, according to Dylan Rivera, spokes person for PDOT.

“We hear from the public that they want taxis to be more accessible, and we hope these new permits will make it easier for everyone to be able to take a cab when they want one,” said Leah Treat, Director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, in a media statement. 

The Board awarded the new permits for six of the seven taxi companies operating in Portland. 

The board also recommended City Council approved 51 permits for Ecocab, a new taxi company which plans to offer a fleet of all-electric vehicles. If they do, the total number of permitted taxis in Portland would rise from 460 to 753, according to Rivera. 

The CityCouncil required that each taxi company guarantee 20 percent of its fleet be accessible for people with disabilities.  

PBOT is currently conducting a review of the City’s regulations taxis, limos, town cars and other services regulated by the Private for Hire Transportation (PFHT) Division. 

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