Given the number of tourists and growing population in Central Oregon it is noticeably peculiar that the region is without popular app-based ride sharing services such as Uber. City officials in Redmond and Bend are working to change that by allowing app-based ride sharing options in Central Oregon as soon as December.
Changes to city ordinances are currently underway with the Redmond Airport (RDM) at the forefront due to the high demand for transportation to and from the airport.
“Uber is looking at Redmond and the airport is one of the primary reasons for coming here because of the over 30,000 people that get on and off planes each month,” Redmond City Manager Keith Witcosky said.
As transportation network companies continue to grow in popularity it is becoming commonplace for airports the size of RDM to offer app-based ride sharing services.RDM is revamping their codes to create fair competition between cab companies and Uber while providing the best service for travelers.
“The problem that the airport faces is that currently we only do an annual fee of $250 for taxi companies. If Uber has 500 cars that are driving we need to figure out how to track that. This is forcing us to take a good look at our whole system and bring the process into the twenty-first century with more of a per trip fee,” Redmond Airport Director Zachary Bass said.
Uber drivers will be stationed off-site in what is called a geofence. Uber uses technology within the app to build a virtual fence that allows the airport to track every pick up and drop off. Drivers must be within the geofence to receive a call and pick somebody up from the airport. RDM will continue charging companies an annual fee in addition to adding a per visit fee giving cab companies with a smaller fleet of cars the same advantage as Uber.
“Travelers are used to using their phone to access rides so if people can’t land in an airport and use their app to get transportation it’s going to be viewed as an inconvenience. It is great for Central Oregon to elevate itself technologically by giving the choice of Uber,” Witcosky said.
The planning stages are vital for a successful launch. Witcosky has worked directly with Uber’s Oregon Public Affairs Manager Jon Isaacs to ensure that policies are in place to create fair competition between cab companies and Uber. Ensuring that wheelchair accessible vehicles are offered and that drivers have clean background checks and driving records are priorities.
“We want to make sure that whether people are using a cab company or if they’re selecting Uber we’re looking out for the users as well. And that’s what we’re trying to figure out in writing the codes,” Witcosky said.
Witcosky intends to get the city ordinance proposal to the Redmond City Council by October 25 with the goal of having Uber operating in Redmond in December and at RDM in January.
Uber encourages cities to revamp their entire system so that every company is operating on the same codes. However, there are widespread concerns that Uber will hurt the current transportation companies.
“Transportation network companies may have a negative impact on existing taxi companies and car rental agencies. On the other hand, it may expand jobs and make it easier for tourists to get from place to place without extra burden on our network of streets,” Bend City Councilor Victor Chudowsky said.
According to Isaacs, Uber launches have successfully boosted the transportation industry in cities like Portland and Boise.
“In Portland more cab companies have popped up because the new codes revolutionize and grow the whole industry. It should offer more transportation options and we are excited to partner with cab companies,” Isaacs said.
EDCO Executive Director Roger Lee believes Uber will be beneficially to people in Central Oregon.
“EDCO is a longstanding advocate for competition and innovation because customers win in the short and long term where these are encouraged. Uber’s particular business model allows local residents to supplement their income while providing new options for locals and tourists alike,” Lee said.
Bend Assistant City Manager Jon Skidmore has been working to allow Uber to operate by updating Chapter 7.35 of the City Code that regulates taxi-cabs.
“City staff has met with Uber to better understand their business model and services offered. Uber representatives provided some draft code language for consideration. As we work with the business community and City Council on this issue we will be reaching out to all stakeholders for comments and suggestions. We will work with all involved to make sure the community is protected and the taxi-cab companies can successfully operate within the regulatory environment created,” Skidmore said.
In updating the City Code on transportation Bend would be working to shift the administrative responsibility of background checks, insurance coverage verificationand inspection of driving records from the City of Bend Police Department to the actual company providing the transportation services. In most cases the transportation network companies have stricter requirements than the city according to Skidmore.
Skidmore and City of Bend staff plan on meeting with taxi-cab companies and the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board in October with the goal of having a proposal in front of City Council in November.
The culture of Bend and Central Oregon seem like a perfect match for an entrepreneurial tech company like Uber.
“Bend is really appealing because of its burgeoning tech industry, downtown area, breweries and booming tourism. We realize it’s a car dependent area to live and we hope to help clear up traffic congestion with ride sharing while providing a safe option for people,” Isaacs said.
Although Uber is a worldwide company they are able to customize specialty services at the local level to accommodate the needs of the people they serve. In Portland they encourage small business owners to hang signs in their cars that say ‘ask me about my business’ so drivers can advertise their business. They offer a product called Uber Ski which would allow drivers with a ski rack on their car to take people to Mt. Bachelor. Isaacs is excited to get rolling with tailor-made services to meet the needs of the people in Central Oregon.
