City Threatens Uber with Fines if it Begins Operates in Portland Friday

Friday, December 05, 2014

The City of Portland of has warned “ride sharing” company Uber that if it begins operating illegally in Portland, starting Friday evening, the company will could be fined from $1,000 to $5,000 per offense.

Uber, the controversial taxi company, will begin operating illegally in Portland starting Friday, Dec. 5, and the city has said it will start to fine drivers and the company, according to Dylan Rivera of the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

Portland Transportation Commissioner Steve Novick is prepared to issue civil and criminal penalties against Uber and its drivers if it moves forward with operations in the city without the proper permits and licensing, Rivera said.

“There’s nothing sharing about this so-called ‘sharing economy’ company: They want to profit in Portland without playing by the same rules as existing cab companies,” Novick said. “People who pick up passengers for Uber in Portland should know that they are operating illegally and could be subject to penalties. Public safety, fairness among competitors and customer service are our top priorities. Unlike permitted drivers, Uber drivers do not carry commercial insurance, putting Portland customers at great risk.”

The company, that has disrupted the traditional taxi business model around the world, has been circling the Portland market all year long. Since January, Uber has been operating in five of Portland’s suburbs and advertising for “Portland Drivers” on Craigslist.

Recently, several dozen companies called on city hall to allow Uber to operate in the city, which they said was the largest in the nation without a rideshare company.