In a letter sent to the Portland City Council on April 3, The Portland Metro Chamber detailed their opposition to a proposed take rate mandate for ride-hailing companies. The chamber said that while it supports fair compensation for drivers, the timing of the proposal raises concerns about affordability and access to transportation, especially as rideshare services are considered essential infrastructure for many local organizations.
The issue is significant because events hosted by groups such as the Trail Blazers, Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Portland Timbers often occur during nights and weekends at venues with limited or no parking options. Rideshare serves as a critical transportation option for attendees of these events. The coalition’s letter recommends that any policy changes be based on transparent, data-driven processes with full stakeholder input before advancing measures that could reshape the city’s transportation landscape. It also stresses the need to expand mobility options rather than add costs that could affect service availability, according to the Portland Metro Chamber’s statement in its coalition letter addressed to the council as reported by the chamber.
Recent city data shows that Portland recorded roughly eight million rideshare and taxi trips in the fiscal year ended June 2025, representing a 37 percent decline from 2019 levels. The number of active drivers has dropped by more than one-third over the same period, while average wait times have more than doubled to nearly seven minutes. Recent city fee increases have already made Portland one of the most expensive rideshare markets in the country, placing additional pressure on service levels and rider access, especially for evening and weekend travel. These trends highlight existing strain on local transportation ahead of any new policy changes, according to city data.
The chamber cited examples from other cities where similar policies led to negative outcomes. Seattle implemented a comparable rideshare earnings standard that reportedly caused average ride prices to rise by approximately 40 percent, with demand dropping sharply and service availability declining, particularly during peak and late-night hours. Austin saw major ride-hailing companies exit the market entirely until state-level policy changes reversed the local regulations and restored service. These outcomes from other jurisdictions illustrate the potential effects of earnings mandates on market participation and overall rider access in cities with similar transportation needs. Portland could face comparable or more severe impacts given its already high-cost environment, according to the chamber.
The Portland Metro Chamber represents more than 2,300 member businesses across multiple industries in the greater Portland region. Established over 150 years ago, it works to promote economic vitality through policy engagement and support for local commerce, including partnerships with cultural institutions and professional sports teams on regional mobility issues. The organization continues to advocate for balanced approaches that sustain reliable transportation options for residents and visitors alike, according to the chamber.
