Uber Loses License to Operate in London
London’s transport authority has officially cancelled the license for Uber to operate in London, & Londoners are freaking out.
Transport for London (TFL) has made this announcement on Friday, saying that Uber, which has 40,000 drivers in London & has been used by around 3.5 million of its residents, was actually “not fit and proper” to hold the license.
“Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications,” said Transport for London (TfL) in a statement.
“TfL’s regulation of London’s taxi and private hire trades is designed to ensure passenger safety. Private hire operators must meet rigorous regulations, and demonstrate to TfL that they do so, in order to operate. TfL must also be satisfied that an operator is fit and proper to hold a licence,” the statement added.
The last day of Uber’s licence will be on 30th September.
Those millions of inhabitants who use the service are not at all happy about this decision as Uber is considerably cheaper than hiring one of London’s famous black cabs.
Chris Philp, who is a lawmaker with a seat in the London Borough of Croydon, criticized this decision immediately. “Cancellation of Uber license step too far. Issue to address but this tips 40,000 drivers out of work & denies 3.5m Londoners cheap travel,” he wrote in Twitter.
Uber has the right to appeal the decision within 21 days. However, it did not offer an immediate comment.
In London, the app has faced criticism from lawmakers, unions as well as black cab drivers over working conditions.
Uber has also been forced to quit several other countries such as Denmark & Hungary as well as faced regulatory battles in multiple U.S. states & countries around the world.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that he fully supports the decision.
“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,” said Sadiq Khan.
“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.”