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Spurred into action by Uber's illegal encroachment, Mayor Charlie Hales just announced he'll convene a task force to study the city's policies around for-hire transportation, and make recommendations for potential changes.

Starting on January 14, the so-called "Private For-Hire Transportation Innovation Task Force" will meet "to study, discuss and make recommendations about all facets of Portland’s private for-hire system, including taxi cabs, transportation network companies, limousines, pedicabs and shuttle services," the release says.

Something like this has been planned for months, Hales wrote recently in the Oregonian, but Uber forced the issue by flouting the city's regulations and rolling out service here on December 5.

That changed today, when Uber agreed to depart the city for three months while rules are being hammered out.

In its short time operating here, the city issued more than $65,000 in fines and filed a lawsuit. Now it'll look at its stringent taxi regulations, presumably with an eye toward opening up the Portland market to ride-share companies like Uber or Lyft without being unfair to taxis and towncar services.

From the release:

The process initially will focus on taxi cabs and transportation network companies, with discussion and recommendations on the following areas: whether to continue to limit the total number of permits granted, whether to have a regulated pricing system, mandated criteria (including insurance, inspections and background checks), and accessibility. In addition, the task force will explore how regulatory changes could improve driver earnings and working conditions.

The task force will have recommendations to Portland City Council by early April, the release says. Hales' chief spokesman, Dana Haynes, tells the Mercury he's not sure if the group's meetings will be public.

Task force membership hasn't been finalized, the mayor's office stresses (there are no reps from car-sharing services OR taxi companies, right now), but here's who's on board so far:

•Mike Greenfield, retired State of Oregon executive (Chair)
•Raihana Ansary, Portland Business Alliance
•Leslie Carlson, Brink Communication
•Chris Bebo, Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association Darren Buckner, Workfrom.co
•JoAnn Herrigel, Elders in Action
•Kayse Jama, Center for Intercultural Organizing
•Jeff Lang, Gales Creek Insurance Services
•Richard Lazar, Technology Association of Oregon
•Dan Lenzen, Venture Hospitality and Real Estate
•Sue Stahl, Commission on Disability

Hit the jump for the full release.

PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014
PORTLAND, OR – Today, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales announced the process for reviewing and updating Portland’s private for-hire transportation (PFHT) system. The City will convene a task force to move this process forward, and the City is committed to developing a new regulatory framework that includes innovative transportation network companies (TNCs). City Council will receive task force recommendations to accomplish this by April 9, 2015.

Beginning January 14, the newly formed PFHT Innovation Task Force will meet to study, discuss and make recommendations about all facets of Portland’s private for-hire system, including taxi cabs, transportation network companies, limousines, pedicabs and shuttle services. Mike Greenfield, former director of the Department of Administrative Services for the State of Oregon, will chair the committee.

The process initially will focus on taxi cabs and transportation network companies, with discussion and recommendations on the following areas: whether to continue to limit the total number of permits granted, whether to have a regulated pricing system, mandated criteria (including insurance, inspections and background checks), and accessibility. In addition, the task force will explore how regulatory changes could improve driver earnings and working conditions.

The task force will address mandated safety criteria and other policy recommendations to City Council at an April 9th Council hearing. The Portland Bureau of Transportation will then be immediately directed to issue permits based on Council’s approval of mandated safety recommendations, allowing TNCs to legally operate. Additionally, Council will direct PBOT to initiate a study period to monitor the market. This will better inform the Task Force and Council as they continue their work on regulations for taxicabs, pedicabs, shuttles and limousines to create a modern private for hire transportation system for Portland.

Members of the task force are still being selected. Those who have accepted to date include:
Mike Greenfield, retired State of Oregon executive (Chair)
Raihana Ansary, Portland Business Alliance
Leslie Carlson, Brink Communication
Chris Bebo, Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association Darren Buckner, Workfrom.co
JoAnn Herrigel, Elders in Action
Kayse Jama, Center for Intercultural Organizing
Jeff Lang, Gales Creek Insurance Services
Richard Lazar, Technology Association of Oregon
Dan Lenzen, Venture Hospitality and Real Estate
Sue Stahl, Commission on Disability