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Baker City council gives ordinance 3408 first reading to regulate rideshare, taxis and limousines
Summary
The council completed the ordinance’s first reading and approved authorizing rules that license drivers (not vehicles), set insurance and background-check requirements, and allow TNCs to operate under driver-issued licenses.
Baker City — The Baker City Council gave ordinance No. 3408 a first reading on Feb. 25, approving updated rules to license and regulate rideshare (transportation network company) drivers, taxicabs and limousines in the city.
The ordinance, presented to the council and read in full, updates definitions for “taxicab,” “limousine” and “transportation network company (TNC),” specifies that TNC licenses will be issued to drivers rather than vehicles, and sets driver, insurance and operational requirements. Councilor Lending noted a wording change in Section 2 clarifying “the number of vehicles for which the licensed driver desires,” saying the revision “makes it clear that the license is going to the driver, not the vehicle.”
Why it matters: The ordinance creates a licensing path for app‑based ride services while keeping local oversight of insurance, background checks and fare posting. It also preserves the city’s ability to limit non‑TNC taxicab licenses based on population ratios and to issue temporary or emergency licenses when needed.
Key provisions cited in the ordinance include: driver licensing and biannual renewal, a criminal background check covering up to seven years (local, state and national searches and accessible offender registries), a minimum commercial general liability requirement of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and operational requirements such as vehicle marking and a zero‑tolerance drug and alcohol policy.
Public comment and local interest: A local resident who identified himself as Eric, 2100 Colorado Place, said he wanted to start a local taxi business and urged the council to include options that don’t require passengers to use smartphone apps. “Part of the reason I want to do a taxi versus an Uber is for an Uber, you have to get into the app … a lot of our elderly don't operate computers and smartphones,” Eric said.
Council action: The council moved and approved (unanimous) the ordinance’s first reading in full and also voted to read the ordinance by title only later in the meeting. The transcript records the votes as “all those in favor? Opposed, none.”
What’s next: The ordinance text repeals prior taxi ordinances cited in the document. Additional steps typically required before full implementation include administrative setup for applications, fee resolution by council (the ordinance places license fees to be set by resolution), and staff processes to accept and review applications under the new rules.
