More than 700,000 Londoners are fighting to keep ride-sharing service, Uber, in their city after local leaders refused to renew the business’ operating license over the weekend.
Last week, Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London confirmed that they had decided not to issue Uber with a private hire operator license due to “serious” safety concerns.
In an online statement, TfL justified the decision, saying Uber Limited London does not currently meet the organisation’s “rigorous regulations” required to hold a private hire operator license
TfL explained that Uber lacks “corporate responsibility” in a number of areas, which have “potential public safety and security implications”. These areas include the way Uber reports serious criminal offenses, how its medical certificates are obtained, its approach to ‘enhanced disclosure and barring service’ checks, as well as its use of Greyball – a piece of software capable of blocking regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app.
The ride-sharing service’s current license is set to expire on 30 September, however, it can continue to operate until any appeal processed have been exhausted.
Uber’s General Manager in London, Tom Elvidge, responded to the decision by saying the company is “always willing to talk to Transport for London and the mayor” and make necessary changes in order to continue operations, The Guardian reported.
“While we haven’t been asked to make any changes, we would like to know what we can do.”
Tom Elvidge, Uber General Manager in London
“But that requires a dialogue we sadly haven’t been able to have recently.”
Some 700,000 Uber users have shown their support for the ride-sharing service with the launch of an online petition, which claims the removal of Uber will give into the “small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice”.
“If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive millions of Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport,” the petition read.
“This decision is affecting the real lives of a huge number of honest and hard-working drivers in London.”
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