Skip to main content

TfL describes reports of closer ties with Uber as ‘nonsense’

Transport for London (TfL) has described claims that it is deepening its relationship with Uber as ‘nonsense’. Media reports suggested that London’s transit authority might be going to offer customers access to public transport services via the ride-hailing firm's app. The Financial Times reported that Uber is attempting to add TfL's data about tube and bus timetables into the app. But a spokesperson from TfL told ITS International that the only thing it is putting out is open data – and does no
December 14, 2018 Read time: 1 min

1466 Transport for London (TfL) has described claims that it is deepening its relationship with 8336 Uber as ‘nonsense’.
 
Media reports suggested that London’s transit authority might be going to offer customers access to public transport services via the ride-hailing firm's app.

The %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Financial Times false https://www.ft.com/content/0f1ee492-fc92-11e8-ac00-57a2a826423e false false%> reported that Uber is attempting to add TfL's data about tube and bus timetables into the app.
 
But a spokesperson from TfL told ITS International that the only thing it is putting out is open data – and does not know if Uber is using it.
 
“Just having open data is not a ‘deepening’ of a relationship as it’s open to everyone,” the spokesperson added.

Last year, TfL rejected Uber's %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external application false http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/enforcement/news/transport-for-london-rejects-uber-operation-license/ false false%> for a new private hire operator licence. In June, the ride-hailing company was granted a 15-month %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external licence false http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/uber-granted-15-month-trial-to-operate-in-london/ false false%>to operate following a decision by Westminster Magistrates Court.

Related Content

  • February 14, 2019
    Ride-hailing and taxi drivers could face tougher criminal checks in England
    Drivers who ply their trade on apps such as Uber could be under greater scrutiny as part of proposals being put forward by the UK government. The potential risk to passengers from the explosion of ride-hailing apps, as private-hire drivers are perceived to receive less thorough vetting – for example, to flag up past convictions – has long been argued. Incidents such as the murders of passengers by a Didi driver in China heightened such concerns - although critics point out that a US Uber driver who ad
  • October 10, 2019
    Careem expands Iraq ride-share operation
    Dubai-based ride-hailing company Careem has expanded into the Iraqi city of Mosul, according to a report by Arabian Business. The company is hoping to provide technology-based mobility options for riders and offer flexible employment opportunities for local drivers. Careem Iraq’s general manager Mohamed Al-Hakim says: “We hope that our entry will spur other companies to follow suit.” Careem expanded its service into the Iraqi city of Basra earlier this year, following its introduction in Najaf and
  • February 14, 2019
    Lyft Green Mode option allows riders to request electric and hybrid vehicles
    Lyft is launching a Green Mode feature within its app to provide riders in Seattle with the option to travel in an electric or hybrid vehicle. The move follows the company’s planned introduction of thousands of electric vehicles (EVs) onto its platform this year. Lyft says the deployment will allow its drivers to increase net earnings as it says the cost of travelling in an EV is half that of a petrol-powered car, therefore saving hundreds of dollars per month on fuel costs. Drivers can switch
  • August 29, 2019
    Lime and rivals form Nordic Micromobility Association
    Lime and its competitors Tier and Voi have formed the Nordic Micromobility Association to promote safety standards for electric scooters. The association will seek to strengthen relationships between Nordic cities and micromobility businesses as well as reduce emissions. Earlier this year, Voi announced its plans to launch e-scooters in Lisbon as part of a wider ambition to expand in Europe. The association’s members are not the only companies working to improve the safety of e-scooters. Last ye