Council raises TNC per-ride fee to $2 and attaches emergency clause

Portland City Council on June 3 amended the city’s fee schedule and passed an emergency ordinance to increase the transportation network company (TNC) fee from 65 cents to $2 per ride.

Councilors moved the amendment during the transportation section of the budget hearing and attached an emergency clause so the fee change could take effect immediately in time to support budget timelines. The vote to amend Exhibit F (fee schedule) to set the TNC fee at $2 passed on a roll call and the council then adopted an emergency clause attached to the ordinance; the full ordinance as amended passed by roll call.

Why it matters: Councilors advocating the increase said larger TNC fees would generate additional general transportation revenue — council discussion and bureau estimates cited roughly $5 million in new revenue — and could help fund transportation priorities including Vision Zero and other projects. Some councilors opposed the increase on equity grounds, saying higher per‑ride fees will be borne by riders, including Portland residents who use TNCs for trips where transit is not accessible or available.

Council debate: Supporters argued comparable cities levy higher TNC fees and said the measure helps shore up transportation revenue. Opponents pointed to riders who rely on TNCs, the cost pressure on households and the need for further analysis. Councilors also discussed technical steps needed to ensure the fee change aligns with an updated fee resolution and a second council action; the emergency clause was added so the fee change could be enacted promptly to meet fiscal deadlines.

Implementation: The ordinance was amended to include the emergency clause and was passed as amended. The council’s action will update the city’s transportation revenue estimates and can be used by bureaus in the coming budget period.