The city of Eugene has fined Uber $2,000 for operating without a license. The company uses a smart-phone app to connect drivers with passengers. The city recently ordered Uber not to operate in the city unless it obtained a license.
At its Wednesday work session, the Eugene City council heard from staff on proposed changes to the city's rules around public passenger vehicles. Assistant City Manager Sara Medary:
Medary: "The code amendment we have proposed is necessary to support all public passenger vehicle companies that are using smart-phone or app-based technologies. This is the technology our largest public passenger vehicle company, Oregon Taxi is utilizing and this code-change supports their efforts to innovate."
The city will also seek input on a rule change that would make companies like Uber operate under the same rules observed by more traditional taxi services. A public hearing will likely happen in January. Rules developed by the city of Eugene will probably apply to Springfield too.