Portland proposal to raise pay for Uber and Lyft drivers opposed by business lobbying group, ride-hailing companies

Portland city councilors are discussing a proposal that would raise take-home pay for Uber and Lyft drivers by limiting how much money the companies can take from each trip. Councilors are considering a limit of 20% for the portion that Uber and Lyft can take from a driver. Currently, the amount isn’t fixed, and can sometimes be over40%.

Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave Portland over the proposal. Uber claims it would force the company to raise its rates or operate at a loss for most rides.

The Portland Metro Chamber and the “We Play for Portland” Coalition, which includes the Portland Trail Blazers, the Oregon Symphony, Portland Art Museum and other Portland sports and arts organizations are opposed to the city council's draft proposal. The groups warned city council in a letter they released that if rideshare companies decrease their services or leave Portland, it could greatly affect audience turnout at Portland events.

We hear from Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guinea, as well as Jon Isaacs, the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Portland Metro Chamber of Commerce, about the draft proposal and what it could mean for the future of rideshare services in Portland.

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