LONDON, Nov 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — London’s transport authority on Monday refused to renew an operating licence for ride-hailing giant Uber because of safety and security concerns.
“Transport for London (TfL) has concluded that it will not grant Uber London Limited (Uber) a new private hire operator’s licence in response to its latest application,” it said in a statement.
The American giant, which has 3.5 million customers and 50,000 drivers in London, described the move as “wrong” and added that it will appeal.
The TfL rejection is the latest setback to the firm’s London operation, which has suffered previous licence suspensions in addition to protests from traditional black cab drivers.
In September, Uber was granted a two-month extension to its licence following the expiry of a previous 15-month agreement. The extension was conditional on passenger safety improvements.
TfL on Monday said there was a “pattern of failures”, including the use of unauthorised drivers on other drivers’ accounts, allowing them to pick up passengers.
The transport authority said this happened at least 14,000 times, endangering users, as it invalidated insurance. Some trips took place with unlicensed, suspended or dismissed drivers.
TfL said it recognised steps the company had taken to address such issues but was concerned about the ease with which its checks and balances could be manipulated.
“Despite addressing some of these issues, TfL does not have confidence that similar issues will not reoccur in the future, which has led it to conclude that the company is not fit and proper at this time,” said the transport body charged with regulating the capital’s taxi services.
Uber has 21 days to appeal, during which time it can continue to operate.
“We think this decision is wrong and we will appeal,” Uber said in a brief statement emailed to all of its customers.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan insisted companies needed to play by the rules.
“Keeping Londoners safe is my absolute number-one priority, and TfL has identified a pattern of failure by Uber that has directly put passengers’ safety at risk.”
Unite, Britain’s biggest trade union, welcomed the announcement and called for a level-playing field to allow traditional taxi services to compete. — NNN-AGENCIES
