Uber's bid to overturn London licence ban

Image: Uber lost its operating licence in London last September amid safety and security concerns

Uber is starting its appeal to overturn a decision stripping it of its licence in London after being ruled unfit to run a taxi service in its most important European market.

Transport for London (TfL) told the taxi app firm in September last year it would not renew its licence on grounds of public safety and security.

Its concerns included Uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offences, how drivers' medical certificates were obtained, how criminal record checks were carried out and its use of technology which allegedly helped it evade law enforcement officials.

Uber says it has made significant reforms to its business model since losing its licence, including the introduction of 24/7 telephone support and the proactive reporting of serious incidents to police.

It has also changed its senior management and apologised for mistakes.

"I know we got things wrong and that we have more work to do. I promise Londoners we will keep listening and improving as Uber moves forward in a new direction," UK general manager Tom Elvidge, who will give evidence in court, said in May.

The appeal is due to be heard at Westminster Magistrates' Court over several days.

The chief magistrate will decide whether Uber is "fit and proper" to hold an operator licence in London now, rather than whether TfL's decision was correct in September.

Uber has been able to operate as normal in the city during the appeal process, and the firm could theoretically turn to higher courts if it is not satisfied with the outcome of this week's hearing.

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The taxi app is available in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK and has around 50,000 drivers in Britain, with some 40,000 in London.

The firm has also been stripped of its licences in Brighton and York, but has gained new licences in Sheffield, Cambridge, Nottingham and Leicester.

Original Article

Business

November 23, 2018