This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
On November 25, 2019, Transport for London (TfL) announced that it would not grant Uber London Limited a new private hire operator's licence.
According to TfL, the decision was made due to a 'pattern of failures' by the company, including the use of unauthorised drivers on other drivers' accounts, which allowed them to pick up passengers. This happened at least 14,000 times, putting users at risk as it invalidated insurance.
Some trips took place with unlicensed, suspended or dismissed drivers. TfL recognised steps taken by Uber to address these issues but expressed concern about the ease with which its checks and balances could be manipulated.
"Despite addressing some of these issues, TfL does not have confidence that similar issues will not reoccur in the future, which has led it to conclude that the company is not fit and proper at this time," said TfL in a statement.
Uber has 21 days to appeal the decision, during which time it can continue to operate. The company described the move as 'wrong' and vowed to appeal, stating that users can continue to use the app as normal.
"We remain 100 percent committed to your safety," Uber said in a statement to its customers.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan supported the decision, stating that companies must play by the rules to keep Londoners safe.
"Keeping Londoners safe is my absolute number-one priority, and TfL have identified a pattern of failure by Uber that has directly put passengers' safety at risk," he said.
Unite, Britain's biggest trade union, welcomed the announcement and called for a level-playing field to allow traditional taxi services to compete.
However, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain criticised the decision, stating that it would be a 'hammer blow' to Uber's 50,000 drivers working under precarious conditions.
