PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The city of Portland, Ore. is suing Uber Technologies Inc., the ridesharing app and service, for illegally operating in the area.
Uber began servicing clients on Friday without approval from the city's transportation bureau. Portland was previously the largest city on the West Coast not to have the service available.
"Our main concern is public health and safety, because the state invested in the cities the responsibility to do that," Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said. "Beyond that, though, is the issue of fairness. Taxi cab companies follow rules on public health and safety. So do hotels and restaurants and construction companies and scores of other service providers. Because everyone agrees: good regulations make for a safer community. Uber disagrees, so we're seeking a court injunction."
The company has been trying to operate in Portland for well over a year but has faced road blocks with the city's government. Portland has a relatively low number of Taxis for a city of its size, with less than 500, and the company is attempting to fill the gap.
"Despite your passionate pleas for us to come here, outdated local regulations designed to protect the taxi industry make our presence impossible," Uber wrote in a blog post in July.
