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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW High of 110 possible Wednesday into weekend ... AllCare boosts RCC's health care training program ... FBI: No toxic substances found so far in suspicious letters sent to Oregon sheriff's offices ... High of 110 possible Wednesday into weekend ... AllCare boosts RCC's health care training program ... FBI: No toxic substances found so far in suspicious letters sent to Oregon sheriff's offices ... EUGENE City rules drive Uber ride-hailing service out of Eugene Official imposes fines on service for breaking taxi codes Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 4, 2015 at 7:57 PM By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 4, 2015 at 7:57 PM » Social News EUGENE — Easter Sunday marks the end of Uber in Eugene, at least for now. The Register-Guard newspaper reported Saturday ( http://is.gd/kV4QNu  ) that a hearings official imposed a civil penalty of $1,500 a day on the ride-service company after deciding it is violating city code. Moreover, the official upheld penalties levied by the city, which means Uber must pay $66,000 in fines accrued since February. "The hearings official's decision reaffirms what the city has said all along," Eugene officials said in a statement late Friday. "Uber needs to apply for a Public Passenger Vehicle Company License in order to operate legally in Eugene." Uber said on its Eugene blog that it must make "the difficult decision to pause operations," starting at 10 a.m. Sunday. Uber started service in Eugene about seven months ago, allowing people to use a smartphone app to hail and electronically pay a driver who has signed up with Uber and uses his or her privately owned vehicle to transport passengers. As in many other places, Uber ran into problems with existing taxi regulations. The city views Uber as a transportation company subject to the city's licensing requirements. Uber maintains it is basically a technology company that links customers to drivers who are independent contractors, and that the city's policies and regulations don't apply. The city's statement said Mayor Kitty Piercy and staff met with Uber representatives last month and offered them the opportunity to operate legally under a temporary operating agreement. "The proposal did not require Uber to meet the same requirements as taxis," the statement said, "just the three minimum safety requirements." Those requirements were: — Driver background checks through the police department's law-enforcement database. — Proof of adequate commercial liability insurance. —Verification of vehicle maintenance and safety equipment. A sticking point has been the requirement that the company provide what the city considers adequate insurance for the time when an Uber driver is seeking a passenger but does not have one. An Uber spokeswoman said the company has worked out a deal with several major insurance companies to provide commercial insurance to cover the period when a driver is looking for a passenger. The limit that was agreed on at this point, however, was $1 million per incident, lower than the $1.3 million required by Eugene. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 4, 2015 at 7:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501