Ride-hailing companies, such as Uber, could be coming to Bend. Uber has become attractive to a growing number of older Americans, such as Sue Johnson, 73, who drives for Uber in Minneapolis. (Jenn Ackerman/The New York Times file photo)

People in Bend could summon ride-hailing companies from their smartphones as soon as early summer after the Bend City Council approved a new taxi code Wednesday.

After hours of debate at the last couple of council meetings, city councilors approved a new law to allow ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in Bend. Before the proposal becomes law, councilors must vote on it a second time.

“Most people don’t really care how they get around,” said Councilor Nathan Boddie. “They just want an easy, convenient and affordable (option).”

So far, Uber has expressed interest in Bend, but Lyft has not said whether it plans to operate in Bend.

The ride-hailing measure was expected to sail smoothly through a first reading at the council’s last meeting, Feb. 1, but after lengthy debate, city councilors put the brakes on the proposal. They said there were issues with the draft they were considering that needed to be tweaked, including what kinds of crimes — revealed through background checks — would prevent people from being allowed to become Uber or cab drivers.

On Wednesday, Ian Leitheiser, an attorney at the city, explained how the second draft was changed. Drivers will need background checks in multiple national databases, he said.

Also during the meeting, councilors changed the proposal to require drivers to undergo annual background checks, as well as mark their vehicle if it’s a car for hire.

The new law establishes rules for both taxis and app-based companies. Once adopted, both cab and Uber drivers would have to hold certain licenses and insurance policies. Ride-hailing companies would have also been required to provide trip data to the city so it could analyze Bendites’ travel patterns and gauge impacts on roads.

— Reporter: 541-633-2160, 
mriker@bendbulletin.com