(October 19, 2015) – Today, the Portland Bureau of Transportation released the summary report analyzing data gathered during the first four months of Portland’s Private for-Hire Transportation (PFHT) Innovation Pilot Program. Based on a sample size of over a million rides given by both taxis and transportation network companies (TNCs) between May 1st and August 31st, the report presents a detailed picture of Portland’s rapidly evolving PFHT market. Data analyzed include trip dates and times, origin and destination information, customer wait times, trip durations, and wheelchair accessible service availability.
The report’s key finding include:
- During the four month study period, taxis and TNCs provided over 1 million rides to customers, a level of ridership that indicates growing consumer demand for PFHT service in Portland.
- Between May and August, TNCs saw their ridership increase 125% while taxi ridership dropped by 16%. Overall ridership in the Portland market increased by 40% during the period under study.
- Neighborhoods in East Portland that have historically received less for-hire transportation service experienced a marked improvement throughout the Pilot Program. During the four month study period, both TNCs and taxis provided increased service to East Portland and the area saw a nearly 50% increase in overall private for-hire service levels.
- Both TNCs and taxis are required to accommodate requests for service from people with disabilities, including customers who require wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV). The study found that TNCs provided 400 WAV rides in the four month period, while taxis provided 2,600.
“Good data is critical to create a private for-hire market that is fair and competitive and that provides all Portlanders with safe and convenient service,” said Transportation Director Leah Treat. “This study provides key insights that policy makers, community stakeholders and the taxi and TNC companies will need as they move forward with new regulations.”
The City’s PFHT Innovation Pilot Program launched on April 24, 2015. The program created new regulations for taxis and allowed TNCs to operate legally in Portland. Both taxi companies and TNCs were required to report aggregated, anonymized ridership data for analysis by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
Read the full report at the Bureau of Transportation’s Private for-Hire web site: http://bit.ly/1NQFE7k
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation