Uber is starting its appeal to overturn a decision banning from operating in London after being ruled unfit to run a taxi service in one of its most important European markets. Transport for London (TfL) informed the taxi app firm in September last year it would not renew its licence on grounds of public safety and security.
Its concerns included Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences, how drivers’ medical certificates were obtained, how criminal record checks were carried out and its use of technology which allegedly helped it evade law enforcement officials.
Now, the ride-hailing company is appealing the decision and says it has made key reforms to its business model since losing its licence, including the introduction of 24/7 telephone support and the proactive reporting of serious incidents to police. It has also changed its senior management and apologised for mistakes.
The appeal is due to be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court over several days.
The chief magistrate will decide whether Uber is “fit and proper” to hold an operator licence in London now, rather than whether TfL’s decision was correct in September.
Uber has been able to operate as normal in the city during the appeal process, and the firm could literally turn to higher courts if it is not satisfied with the outcome of this week’s hearing. The taxi app is available in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK and has around 50,000 drivers in Britain, with some 40,000 in London.
