Uber could get a no-limits test run
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 7th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton City Council learned Tuesday that officials for Uber say Pendleton drivers could not operate under a proposed compromise with Elite Taxi because the ride-for-hire company’s business model requires it be able to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mayor John Turner said that is prompting the council to test the waters at its next regular meeting on April 19.
“We will look at an ordinance that has a sunset period of about five months that would allow Uber to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. “We’ll see what the impact is on the business that Elite Taxi runs.”
Elite Taxi has been the city’s sole licensed taxi company for 40 years, because it’s been the only company bidding to work under the city’s requirements, Turner said.
“They provide drivers for the city’s bus system,” he said. “They take care of the taxi ticket program, they provide ADA-capable vans to take, for example, people with wheelchairs to the doctors’ office.”
Turner said the trial period will include the week of Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon.
