London's transport won't renew Uber's license

London [U.K.], September 22 (ANI): Transport for London (TfL) on Friday informed Uber London Limited that it will not reissue a private hire operator license after expiry of its current license on September 30.

TfL's regulation of London's taxi and private hire trades is designed to ensure passenger safety.

Private hire operators must meet rigorous regulations, and demonstrate to the TfL that they do so, in order to operate.

The transport department must also be satisfied that an operator is fit and proper to hold a license. It has concluded that app-based cab service Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license.

TfL considered that Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications. These include:

· Its approach to reporting serious criminal offences.

· Its approach to how medical certificates are obtained.

· Its approach to how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are obtained.

· Its approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London - software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.

The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 includes provision to appeal a licensing decision within 21 days of it being communicated to the applicant. Uber London Limited can continue to operate until any appeal processes have been exhausted.

Earlier, a group of British MPs had written a letter to the transport department and urged it to not renew Uber's licence which is going to expire on September 30.

The complainants had alleged that Uber cab service was endangering the public with numerous reports of Uber drivers of being involved in sexual assaults. The MPs also alleged that the cab provider had underpaid and badly treated its workers, apart from avoiding taxes, CNN reported. (ANI)