PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Nathaniel Hudson-Hartman has 8 years of experience driving for Uber and Lyft across the Portland metro. He’s also an organizer with Drivers Union Oregon, which fights for fair pay and protections for rideshare drivers.
“This isn’t just a side hustle, this isn’t just, you know, a way to scrape together a few bucks,” Hudson-Hartman told KOIN 6 News. “This is really important work that we’re doing.”
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Every time you take an Uber or Lyft in Portland, the city adds a 65-cent fee to your ride. City leaders are looking to double or even triple that fee.
Mayor Keith Wilson wants to double the fee-per-ride to $1.30, while City Councilor Mitch Green wants it raised to $2.
“$2 is really nothing compared to (the fees in) Seattle and New York,” Green said.
Proponents argue the fee hikes will help plug Portland’s $93 million budget gap. Leaders claim the millions in extra money would help fund road repairs, street cleaning and more city services.
There is currently no plan to include taxis or delivery services (like Uber Eats) in the fee hike.
“The ideal is that more people take trips via our bus system,” Green said. “We’ve got a serious maintenance backlog on our roads system, so we’ve got to get fewer cars on the road.”
But some drivers, like Hudson-Hartman, want a seat at the wheel and a voice in steering the direction of the city’s budget choices.
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“It’s really empowering for drivers to feel like they have a say in the decisions that affect their work,” he said.
Nathaniel Hudson-Hartman has 8 years of experience driving for Uber and Lyft across the Portland metro, May 19, 2025 (KOIN)
He hopes the city will consider all the impacts before making a final decision or pump the brakes on a cost that would directly affect him and his passengers.
“We’re having to work longer hours for less money,” he said.
KOIN 6 News reached out to both Uber and Lyft for comment but have not heard back at this time.
The Portland City Council is debating all things connected with the proposed budget. There will be public input before the city council approves the budget before the end of June.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.
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