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Uber has lost its license to operate in London, UK after Transport For London (TFL), the transport regulator for London, refused to renew its operating license. TFL concluded that Uber was not a “Fit and Proper” company to hold a private hire permit. The current Uber license expires on September 30, 2017.
Despite the setback, Uber has 21 days to appeal the decision. Once an appeal is lodged the company will be able to continue its operations until it is decided.
Why Did TFL Cancel Uber’s Permit
The main issue that led TFL to cancel Uber’s permit was stated as “Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility.” This perceived lack of responsibility particularly relates to the company’s handling of drivers’ background checks, reporting serious criminal offenses, and obtaining medical certificates.
TFL also stated that it has serious concerns about Uber’s use of special software called Greyball to foil the attempts by regulators worldwide to scrutinize the company.
Supporters & Opponents
The move was welcomed by several groups, not surprisingly by the most vocal Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, which represents London’s famous Black Cab drivers—who have been Uber’s arch nemesis in the UK since it started.
On the other hand, the ruling has been heavily criticized by far more groups including politicians as well as regular Londoners. Politicians have complained that this is an assault on employment, with 40,000 drivers losing their jobs, and many commuters complaining that they have had their access to cheap affordable transport cut off.
Uber has gone on the offensive, declaring that it will appeal the decision, and even accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan and TFL of overseeing a Closed London policy instead of the Open London policy they promote.
Overall
It will take some time for this Saga to play out in the courts, with both sides of the argument applying a significant political pressure to get their way. Either way, it will be touch and go for Uber and the Mayor. However, in the long run, the millions of Uber users in London will probably be enough of a political threat to win Uber a reprieve.
Source: The Guardian
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uh oh…I hope Uber will somehow figure out a way to continue its service in London.
Yikes. Is there a good Uber alternative in London?
There are a bunch. The market kind of takes over and fixes itself. Though I do like being able to use my Uber app in Europe
As I prepare to head over the first week of October. Well, good to know.
You’re not completely out of luck. Uber is appealing, so drivers are still driving during that process. And if Uber is finally shut down, there is still Wheely for black-car service, and of course Gett, for cabs.
Too bad since uber came in handy on our last trip to London for our LHR transfers…still, not entirely surprising given the adversarial stance they’ve historically taken whenever entering markets. The largest shame of the whole thing is for the drivers.
Uber needs to get their act together from the corporate side to avoid these problems in the futrue
that will be a big loss for the people
I am aware its about the UK, but is there any Idea, whether UBER is coming back to Frankfurt/ Germany any time soon?
we haven’t heard anything. I’m assuming you’d hear about it in Frankfurt before we would in the US.
Oh no. I was in London earlier this year and the underground is incredibly efficient although less Uber would mean more crowding on trains.
Uber can afford to and must change
This makes me so mad. I just got ripped off so much by a black cab recently in London. Swore I’d never use them again on principle. Please all sign the petition on change.org
Well good thing I’m not going to London anytime soon. Lol
Of course this is probably part political, but I do think Uber could have better policies in place for driver screening and handling cases of assault or unlawful behavior by its drivers.I do rely on it sometimes while traveling, though, so I’m sad to see this!
there was never any question that Uber is great for the rider but sticks the driver with fees too low and all the expenses of owning a new car with no cap on new drivers. I.e., flood the zone with cars despite the limit on available business. Survival of the fittest! While central Uber keeps adding new drivers (competition to the other drivers).
aka the free market
Wow. Not sure why they would do that. Love Uber!
It’s shame as competition in this market is only a good thing.
Come on Uber, forego a tiny bit of profits and give London the consumer protections it wants. You’ll still make plenty of money!
Uber were like a breath of fresh air to the taxi industry in London, it’s a real shame as some black cabbies rip off tourists and the money off codes came in very handy.
Time to use up any credit transferred from Clubcard, then!
What a shame!!! Once or twice a year I am flying to London for family reasons and what a difference is between regular taxis and Uber! I hope Londoners have a right to decide!!!
I think this will not happen. It is just politics.
Almighty cab lobby strikes again
This is very bad news indeed.
I give it a week before TfL reserves.
Is Lyft available in London?
As of today, no.
So much for the free market in the U.K.
Oh no! I love Uber.
Uber should be more transparent in his actions. Otherwise, the trend will be for the company to be boycotted elsewhere as well.
Hopefully this gets worked out. Sad for all the Uber drivers that rely on the income.
Hopefully there’s a resolution. Apparently 40k drivers could be out of job.
When announcing this and other upcoming stories on the local (New York City) news, the announcer added “Is New York next?”. I changed the channel and did not hear the story, so don’t know if New York City is looking into banning Uber also, or if it was like when they say ‘Will the rain continue and ruin the entire weekend or will the sun come out leaving beautiful weather, stay tuned for the forecast later in the program’.
Hopefully they get this straightened out before my trip in the spring.
Very sad, as I see Uber doing nice work but can’t stand competition from regular drivers unions. Pity that mayor on their side and not on the side of the citizens.
The taxis in the Canadian city where I grew up have managed to keep Uber out of the city altogether and their lobby has also kept good transit service from the airport so I have no sympathy for cab drivers at all. Uber has been a boon for many people and I hope they prevail in London.
Stick to the operating rules, obey the licensing rules and then there is no issue.
I’m surprised it took so long, and that it is only London.
this is a huge loss for the UK, Uber was super convenient when travelling in London
Regardless of the rights or wrongs, fewer options is usually a bad thing.
I’ve never used Uber in London but I have taken some taxis and they are quite expensive, so not a good news for people.
I find the London transport works so well I’ve never used this in London. With all the taxi companies have to do, I can see the issue with Uber in many ways. Still, the option could be a good one for so many reasons.
I agree with Ron who feels sad for Uber drivers who will experience economic impact.
Pollies in the pockets of big business again!
Let’s see if public pressure will reverse the decision.
I only used Uber because of they allowed to earn SPG points on their rides. I will miss that a lot if they gonna get kicked out of all major cities
hopefully they remain so that there is more competition
I don’t particularly like the Uber company so I haven’t paid much attention to this story. I hope there is a resolution that benefits everyone but I understand why they didn’t renew the license. I would assume that cabby, limo, etc companies are required to do a list of things to stay licensed. Has Uber done the the requirements? It seems Uber has more and more problems in their core area. If Uber is lost I am sure that there will be another company that steps in at some point. At one time we didn’t have Uber.
I hope they sort this out. Uber has made ride hailing a better process but driver’s should be fairly compensated as well.
I still have some credits, hope to be able to use it later…
Cant see this lasting. I like London cabs but they are really expensive, competition should be encouraged.