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Council amends private for‑hire code to clarify allowable uses of TNC per‑ride fees
Summary
The council substituted revised code language to explicitly allow the city to use transportation network company per‑ride fees for program administration and for critical infrastructure that supports private‑for‑hire services; the emergency ordinance passed with sufficient votes.
The Portland City Council approved an emergency ordinance on June 18 to amend the private for‑hire transportation code and clarify permitted uses of the per‑ride fee charged to transportation network companies (TNCs). Council substituted a revised exhibit clarifying that permit fee rates may fund program administration and “critical infrastructure” enabling safe, fair and efficient private‑for‑hire services.
Councilor Nick Novick (introduced the language) said the amendment was intended to make explicit that funds collected from a per‑ride fee may be used for regulatory program costs and for infrastructure relied on by private for‑hire operators. City attorneys reviewed the final phrasing and staff confirmed the ordinance is intended to preserve flexibility for future investments, including discussion about whether the language would permit a driver resource center.
No public testimony was delivered in person for the item at the time of the vote; councilors substituted the updated exhibit and adopted the emergency ordinance with the required majority for emergency legislation. Councilors noted that future conversations with the city attorney and bureaus will be needed to confirm whether specific future investments (such as a driver resource center) fall within the clarified permitted uses.
The change takes effect immediately under the emergency clause and will be incorporated into city code language that governs private‑for‑hire regulation and fee use. Staff said the ordinance aims to provide transparent authority for how per‑ride revenue is allocated to program administration and transportation system goals.
