Transport for London has announced it will not be renewing Uber's license to operate as a private hire operator from 1 October.

TFL, which is responsible for public transport across the city, including bus, train, Tube and taxis, made the announcement on 22 September. It noted that it has informed Uber's London branch that it will not issue the company with a private hire operator license after its current license expires on 30 September.

Around 40,000 Uber drivers currently operate in London, and the service is used by 3.5 million customers each week. In many cases, the ride-hailing service is cheaper than London's iconic black cabs, but issues over passenger safety

Uber was told it has 21 days to appeal the decision. If it does appeal, it means that their service will not stop abruptly from the start of October. It is unclear if this will also affect Uber Eats, the food delivery service available in certain parts of the capital.

TFL said Uber's approach to business and its conduct "demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications."

Uber logo
Uber is rolling back a controversial user-tracking system Getty

These, TFL says, 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 statement also said: "TFL's regulation of London's taxi and private hire trades is designed to ensure passenger safety. Private vate hire operators must meet rigorous regulations, and demonstrate to TFL that they do so, in order to operate. TFL must also be satisfied that an operator is fit and proper to hold a licence."

In response to the shock decision, Tom Elvidge, General Manager of Uber in London, said:

"3.5 million Londoners who use our app, and more than 40,000 licensed drivers who rely on Uber to make a living, will be astounded by this decision.

"By wanting to ban our app from the capital Transport for London and the Mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice. If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport.

"To defend the livelihoods of all those drivers, and the consumer choice of millions of Londoners who use our app, we intend to immediately challenge this in the courts.

"Drivers who use Uber are licensed by Transport for London and have been through the same enhanced DBS background checks as black cab drivers. Our pioneering technology has gone further to enhance safety with every trip tracked and recorded by GPS. We have always followed TfL rules on reporting serious incidents and have a dedicated team who work closely with the Metropolitan Police. As we have already told TfL, an independent review has found that 'greyball' has never been used or considered in the UK for the purposes cited by TfL.

"Uber operates in more than 600 cities around the world, including more than 40 towns and cities here in the UK. This ban would show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies who bring choice to consumers."

London mayor Sadiq Khan said on Facebook: "I want London to be at the forefront of innovation and new technology and to be a natural home for exciting new companies that help Londoners by providing a better and more affordable service.

"However, all companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect - particularly when it comes to the safety of customers. Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security."

The mayor added that he "fully supports" TFL's decision to not renew Uber's London licence. He added: "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. Any operator of private hire services in London needs to play by the rules."

'An immoral company with no place on London's streets'

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association said:

"The Mayor has made the right call not to relicence Uber. 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. We expect Uber will again embark on a spurious legal challenge against the Mayor and TfL, and we will urge the court to uphold this decision. This immoral company has no place on London's streets".

It is understood that Uber was made aware of TFL's decision one minute before the statement was published on Twitter.

More from IBTimes UK
Uber