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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 Guest Opinion: Medford should strive to be more like Bend ... Poison in the well ... Gold Hill rallies to save IOOF Lodge ... Guest Opinion: Medford should strive to be more like Bend ... Poison in the well ... Gold Hill rallies to save IOOF Lodge ... TRANSPORTATION Uber launches in Portland without city OK City officers try to ticket ride-sharers using the app Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 6, 2014 at 8:23 PM By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 6, 2014 at 8:23 PM » Social News PORTLAND — The ride-sharing app Uber has launched in Portland without city approval. The app began working Friday at 5 p.m., and drivers were able to immediately begin offering rides, regional manager Brooke Stever said. "I don't think we're going against the city's wishes," Stever told KGW-TV ( http://is.gd/AWWkiR ). "We hope the city embraces this and listens to their constituents, the people of Portland and drivers partnering with us." But there's little chance of that happening. City Commissioner Steve Novick said Uber is breaking a law that prohibits unlicensed taxis, and the city is prepared to levy hefty fines against drivers and the company. "There's nothing sharing about this so-called 'sharing economy' company," Novick said. "They want to profit in Portland without playing by the same rules as existing cab companies." Uber offers car service in 250 cities in 50 countries, and it has been fighting regulatory hurdles in many places. Minutes after Uber started offering Portland service, code enforcement officers logged onto the app in an attempt to catch drivers violating taxi regulations. But demand was so high that they couldn't book a ride, The Oregonian reported ( http://is.gd/mxxnFq ). Novick sent two code enforcement officers and a staff member to stand outside a downtown Portland hotel to catch Uber drivers. Standing on Southwest Broadway, Novick policy adviser Bryan Hockaday and Frank Dufay, the city's private-for-hire-transportation manager, couldn't get the app to book a ride. "I think they've blocked me and Frank," Hockaday said. "You have to sign up with your real name. It won't let you use a fake one." Erich England, a city code enforcement officer, said two Uber drivers canceled on him when he asked for a six-block ride. When he realized they might prefer passengers seeking a longer ride, there were no drivers available. "I guess we'll try it again some other time," he said. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 6, 2014 at 8:23 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