London's Black Cab drivers are happy about the city's transport regulators' decision not to renew Uber's license to operate in the UK's capital. "I am over the moon. We're getting our roads back," Time quoted black cab driver David English, 47, as saying Friday.
London's traditional taxi drivers have firmly opposed Uber for allegedly underpaying its drivers and causing traffic congestion in the city. Steve McNamara, the general secretary of London's Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, reportedly said: "Since it first came onto our streets, Uber has broken the law, exploited its drivers, and refused to take responsibility for the safety of passengers.
This immoral company has no place on London streets." The same group of people had pushed for Uber competitor Taxify's ejection from London roads two weeks ago.
'Not fit and proper' to operate
Uber Technologies, Inc. now has only up to the end of September to ply the roads of London, as transport regulator Transport for London (TfL) has declined to renew the ride-hailing firm's license for being "not fit and proper" to operate in the capital city.
The licensing body said its decision was on the grounds of "public safety and security implications," citing Uber's failure to report serious criminal offenses and not doing enough background checks on its drivers. Uber was also blamed for traffic congestion and rise in collisions since it started hugging London roads in 2012 when it got a five-year license to operate in the capital city.
For 'lack of corporate responsibility.'
The Guardian reported that Uber's use of Greyball, a software that could block regulatory bodies from accessing Uber's mobile app entirely, also concerned TfL. "Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility," TfL said in a statement.
The announcement came almost as a shock to the industry, and two weeks after TfL also stopped Uber's upcoming rival Taxify from plying London roads, after only three days of launching in the city, for technically operating without a license.
Taxify was offering London commuters cheaper fares.
London mayor Sadiq Khan backed TfL's decision to boot out Uber, saying all business entities in London should "play by the rules." The Guardian quoted Khan as saying,"I fully support TfL's decision--it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners' safety and security."
Uber to take it to the courts
Uber has 21 days to appeal and continue to operate in London until its current license expires on September 30.
"Transport For London and the mayor caved into a small number of people, who want to restrict consumer choice," Uber said in a statement.
Uber's general manager in London Tom Elvidge said the US-based transport firm would challenge TfL's decision in the courts immediately, as it would affect the livelihood of its drivers in London. Uber's car-hailing mobile app is used by some 3.5 million passengers and 40,000 drivers in London, giving the city's so-called black cabs a tough competition.
