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.

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