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.

UTC

Related Content

  • October 1, 2019
    Uber bolsters app features to boost micromobility
    Uber is combining its ride-hailing and food delivery apps, while polishing its green credentials and launching a range of new features and partnerships. There is a particular focus on micromobility: bikes and scooters will be displayed on the map inside the ride-hailing giant’s app in 28 cities to make it easier for users to view their options. The company is also expanding its in-app Transit option to include San Francisco, Mexico City and Paris. New Uber Jump bikes and scooters will come with batteries
    Read More
  • September 18, 2019
    Uber: AB5 ‘does not automatically reclassify’ drivers
    Business life may be about to get trickier for transportation network companies following the passing of a new law in California which aims to give gig economy workers more rights. Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), which is due to come into effect in January next year, says that “a person providing labour or services for remuneration shall be considered an employee rather than an independent contractor” - unless three points are proved. One, that “the hiring entity demonstrates that the person is free from the con
    Read More
  • February 22, 2021
    Uber drivers are 'workers', say lawmakers
    UK Supreme Court decision could disrupt ride-hailing giant's business model in London
    Read More
  • October 23, 2017
    T-Charge introduced to older vehicles in London to tackle toxic air pollution
    To combat thousands of premature deaths caused by air pollution in London, up to 34, 000 polluting vehicles travelling into Central London every month may have to pay the T-Charge £10.00 ($13.00) which will operate on top of the Congestion Charge £11.50 ($15.00). Launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the T -Charge applies to drivers of pre-Euro 4 vehicles that do not meet the PM and NOx emissions and has come into effect from 7.00am on 23 October 2017.
    Read More

Highlighted Content