Uber says it's suspending operations in Portland, Oregon, for three months to work out its differences with city officials, less than two weeks after the ride-hailing app's launch was greeted with a lawsuit. Brooke Steger, Uber general manager, wrote in a blog post Thursday that Portland is working to update its regulations for private for-hire transportation that would allow Uber to operate. "Uber is dedicated to curating and continuing a valuable and constructive relationship with Portland’s lawmakers, working to create a regulatory framework that works for everyone, not just us," Steger wrote.
Mayor Charlie Hales said in a statement that a task force will make recommendations by mid-April on permits, pricing systems, insurance and safety inspections, among other issues. Portland sued Uber three days after its Dec. 5 launch in the city, asking a judge to order the San Francisco-based company to cease operations. The city said Thursday that it's no longer seeking a restraining order. Uber will continue operating in the Portland suburbs.
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