City of Eugene officials have ordered Uber ride-sharing service to cease operating in the area or face a fine. Uber has refused to apply for a taxi license since its drivers began operating in Eugene last summer.
Uber allows people to get rides from private vehicle owners through a smart-phone app. Laura Hammond with the City of Eugene says the purpose of requiring a license is to make sure vehicles, drivers and passengers are safe.
"That drivers have appropriate background checks and they have criminal history checks to ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage. Until we can be sure that all that's happening for the drivers that are out there working for Uber. We need them to stop operating."
A consortium of licensed Eugene-area taxi companies has objected to Uber's ride-sharing service, saying it's not fair for them to operate without licenses. An Uber spokesman says the service is safe and reliable.
The Eugene City Council is scheduled to discuss updating its public passenger regulations at its November 19 meeting.
