Uber granted 15-month trial to operate in London

Uber is now operating in London, UK, on a 15-month licence grant following a decision by Westminster Magistrates Court. The move follows Transport for London’s (TfL’s) refusal to renew the company’s licence in 2017. Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot deemed Uber as ‘fit and proper’ and ordered the company to pay TfL’s legal costs of £425,000. The ride-hailing firm claims it has now made substantial changes by replacing senior management.
June 27, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
8336 Uber is now operating in London, UK, on a 15-month licence grant following a decision by Westminster Magistrates Court. The move follows 1466 Transport for London’s (TfL’s) refusal to renew the company’s licence in 2017.


Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot deemed Uber as ‘fit and proper’ and ordered the company to pay TfL’s legal costs of £425,000.

The ride-hailing firm claims it has now made substantial changes by replacing senior management.

The decision has not been welcomed by consumer group SumOfUs. Campaigner Eoin Dubsky says: "The bottom line is that Uber remains a shady corporation and shouldn’t have been granted a new licence until it can show drivers are treated fairly.”

In a statement, Caroline Pidgeon, chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee, says court action has forced Uber to improve its working practices and TfL must ensure the conditions of the renewed licence are enforced.

“The safety of Londoners must come first and we will be keeping a close eye on the way Uber operates,” Pidgeon adds.

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