Uber has voluntarily agreed to suspend its operations in Portland for three months. The move comes after officials in that city had been trying to force the taxi service company out of business there, even going so far as to ask a judge for a restraining order against it.
The decision came as part of a deal with the city of Portland under which its lawmakers will make regulatory changes that will allow Uber to operate there legally.
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Uber will suspend its operations there as of Sunday December 21st. But it will continue to offer its services in the nearby suburban areas like Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro and Tigard.
In a blogpost Uber stated, “Uber is dedicated to curating and continuing a valuable and constructive relationship with Portland’s lawmakers, working to create a regulatory framework that works for everyone, not just us. Not just the taxi cabs. Not just the city officials. Everyone.”
“We’re eager to work with City and State leaders to bring the impact of the Uber platform to Portland and cut down on drunk driving, serve underserved communities, increase transit to small business and help drive the local economy.”
Portland promised to establish a special task force to study ways in which to change local regulations which will present its findings to the city council on April 9th. If the City does not vote on any changes at that time then Uber, under the terms of the agreement, will resume operations there until such changes are made.
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales told the Wall Street Journal, “I believe that we should find a way for Uber to operate legally here. It’s a valid part of the new sharing economy that Portland embraces.”
“It’s too bad that this discussion with Uber started badly with Uber coming to town and operating illegally, ” he added.
