London's transport regulator announced today that it will not renew Uber's licence, saying the US-based cab aggregator is not "fit and proper" to operate in the city, especially citing the company's approach to reporting serious criminal offences. Regulator Transport for London (TFL) said Uber's conduct posed risks to public safety and it would not renew its license when it expires on September 30. Uber has 21 days to appeal and can continue to operate until the appeal process has finished. This comes as a huge blow to the taxi app that will affect more than 40,000 drivers in one of the world's biggest cities.
Also Read: Uber To Stop Using Diesel Cars In London By End Of 2019
"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," TFL said.
It said that it was particularly concerned about Uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offences and its approach to how medical certificates are obtained, among other things. Meanwhile, the taxi-hailing company said it will challenge the decision, which shows the world that "far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies".
The 3.5 million Londoners who use our app, and more than 40,000 licensed drivers who rely on Uber to make a living, will be "astounded" by this decision, it said.
Also Read: Uber Brings 'Compliments' Feature To India
Uber said, "To defend the livelihoods of all those drivers, and the consumer choice of millions of Londoners who use our app, we intend to immediately challenge this in the courts."
Under the UK's Private Hire Vehicles Act of 1998, Uber now has 21 days to appeal and can continue to operate until that process expires. The California-based company, which was founded over eight years ago, has been faced with intense criticism in the UK over claims that it unfairly skews competition and that it has not done enough to crackdown on incidents of violence involving its drivers.
The company has already been forced to quit several countries including Denmark and Hungary and has faced regulatory battles in multiple US states and countries around the world.
