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Uber’s blooper of not being “fit and proper” in Transport for London’s eyes has resulted in the body deciding not to renew its five year license, but an appeal will happen and Uber can operate until that appeal is concluded.
Transport for London, or TfL, has issued a statement on its decision not to renew Uber London Limited’s license, which expires on 30 September 2017.
The authority said that its “regulation of London's taxi and private hire trades is designed to ensure passenger safety,” and that “private hire operators must meet rigorous regulations, and demonstrate to TfL that they do so, in order to operate.”
In addition, TfL states it “must also be satisfied that an operator is fit and proper to hold a licence.”
{loadposition alex08}Thus, we’re by TfL that it has “concluded that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence.”
TfL says it “considers 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.”
These include:
- 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.
- 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.
So, can Uber appeal?
Yes - TfL states that “the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 includes provision to appeal a licensing decision within 21 days of it being communicated to the applicant. Uber London Limited can continue to operate until any appeal processes have been exhausted.”
TfL advises that “no further comment will be made by TfL pending any appeal of this decision,” however, in a special section listed as “notes to editors,” TfL states that “Uber London Limited was licenced as a Private Hire (PH) Operator in 2012. On 26 May TfL granted a 4-month PH Operator Licence whilst it concluded its consideration of a five year licence. This licence expires on 30 September.”
In a statemnet, Uber noted Uber it will appeal the decision, and says it shows "the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies".
Uber’s statement continued: “Transport for London and the mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice. We intend to immediately challenge this in the courts."
As noted above, Uber can continue providing its service in London until the outcome of the appeal is known.
Image may be NSFW.
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