Uber To lose Its Licence To Operate In London.
Transport authority declares US ride-booking company not 'fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence'.
Uber said it will challenge the decision to strip it of its licence [Neil Hall/Reuters]
London's transport authority says it will not renew Uber's licence to operate in the British capital, arguing that it demonstrates a lack of corporate responsibility with implications for public safety and security.
Transport for London (TfL) says the ride-booking app was not "fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence".
It cited its approach to handling serious criminal offences and its use of software to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app, preventing "officials from undertaking regulator or law enforcement duties".
In London, Uber has faced criticism from unions, legislators and traditional black-cab drivers over working conditions.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he supported Friday's decision, saying any operator of taxi services in the city "needs to play by the rules".
He says that "providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security".
Uber said in response that it would challenge the decision.
"Transport for London and the Mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice," Uber said in a statement. "We intend to immediately challenge this in the courts."
Uber also said that if this decision stands, it will put 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable mode of transport.
Transport authority declares US ride-booking company not 'fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence'.
Uber said it will challenge the decision to strip it of its licence [Neil Hall/Reuters]
London's transport authority says it will not renew Uber's licence to operate in the British capital, arguing that it demonstrates a lack of corporate responsibility with implications for public safety and security.
Transport for London (TfL) says the ride-booking app was not "fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence".
It cited its approach to handling serious criminal offences and its use of software to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app, preventing "officials from undertaking regulator or law enforcement duties".
In London, Uber has faced criticism from unions, legislators and traditional black-cab drivers over working conditions.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he supported Friday's decision, saying any operator of taxi services in the city "needs to play by the rules".
He says that "providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security".
Uber said in response that it would challenge the decision.
"Transport for London and the Mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice," Uber said in a statement. "We intend to immediately challenge this in the courts."
Uber also said that if this decision stands, it will put 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable mode of transport.
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