In a huge blow to Uber in the UK London's transport
regulator has rejected its application to renew its license to operate in the
city.
In a statement today TfL said it has concluded that Uber is
"not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license".
"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
license," it said.
The regulator added that 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" --
including for the following issues:
Its approach to reporting serious criminal offences
Its approach to how medical certificates are obtained
Its approach to how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service
(DBS) checks are obtained -- which relates to carrying out background checks to
ensure workers do not have a criminal record.
Its approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London --
software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access
to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement
duties
TfL notes that the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998
includes provision to appeal a licensing decision within 21 days of it being
issued, and confirmed that Uber can continue to operate until any appeal
processes have been exhausted.
Uber is expected to appeal. A statement by the company is
also expected shortly -- we'll add it when we have it.
Update: In a statement, Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber
in London, said:
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.
By wanting to ban our app from the capital Transport for
London and the Mayor have caved in to a 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 Londoners of a convenient and
affordable form of transport.
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.
Drivers who use Uber are licensed by Transport for London
and have been through the same enhanced DBS background checks as black cab
drivers. Our pioneering technology has gone further to enhance safety with
every trip tracked and recorded by GPS. We have always followed TfL rules on
reporting serious incidents and have a dedicated team who work closely with the
Metropolitan Police. As we have already told TfL, an independent review has
found that ‘greyball’ has never been used or considered in the UK for the
purposes cited by TfL.
Uber operates in more than 600 cities around the world,
including more than 40 towns and cities here in the UK. This ban would show the
world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies who
bring choice to consumers.
TfL said it will not be commenting further on the decision
pending any appeal.
(Originally Posted in Yahoo.com)
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