Uber will not be issued with a new private hire operator licence after the expiry of its current license on September 30, Transport for London (TfL) said last Friday.
The local government body responsible for the transport system in Greater London said that the ride hailing app company is lacking in safety measures and is “not fit and proper” enough to hold a license.
TfL also said that Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrates a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications.
TfL says that it has issues with Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences, its approach to how medical certificates are obtained, and its approach to how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are obtained.
Previously, Uber was made to admit that it used Greyball, a secret program to avoid law enforcement. Greyball was designed to identify law enforcement officials, and show them a fake app interface that made it much harder to book rides. Uber’s approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London is an issue, TfL says.
Uber can appeal the decision, and will be able to operate until all forms of appeal have been exhausted. Some 3.5 million passengers and 40,000 drivers use the Uber app in London, according to the BBC.
“I fully support TfL’s decision – it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety and security,” said London mayor Sadiq Khan.
“I want London to be at the forefront of innovation and new technology and to be a natural home for exciting new companies that help Londoners by providing a better and more affordable service. However, all companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect – particularly when it comes to the safety of customers,” Khan said.
“While we haven’t been asked to make any changes, we’d like to know what we can do. That requires a dialogue we sadly haven’t been able to have,” Uber’s London GM Tom Elvidge told The Times. Sources close to Uber say that the US-based company has been asking to meet Khan since his election in May 2016 but those requests have been rejected.
Of course, Uber has defended its conduct. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the company said it would challenge the TfL decision “in the courts to defend the livelihoods of drivers and the consumer choice of millions of Londoners who use Uber”.
“Drivers who use Uber in London are licensed by TfL and have been through the same enhanced DBS background checks as black cab drivers. We have always followed TfL rules on reporting serious incidents, with a dedicated team that works closely with the Metropolitan Police,” it added.
“The truth is that there is a high cost to a bad reputation. It really matters what people think of us, especially in a global business like ours. It’s critical that we act with integrity in everything we do, and learn how to be a better partner to every city we operate in,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi wrote to staff last week.
Over 725,000 people have signed an online petition to “Save Your Uber in London”.
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Uber habis liao…. now the business is losing money.
Uber never made any profit. Their aim is to control the whole transportation industry, just like what Amazon is doing with retail. Once in control they can charge whatever they want.
If Uber wuz legalised, why gov there need to bait drivers to them, which then makes Uber uses Greyball to fool gov pipu?
I only used Grab never ride on Uber..same destination Grab cheaper a bit
Uber is a better service than grab. But both are run arrogantly with minimal regard for driver welfare nor passenger safety. still, better than taxis.