Outrage after Uber has license revoked by Transport for London

TfL have stripped taxi hailing app Uber of its license to operate in the capital, on concerns that the company demonstrated a lack of “corporate responsibility”.

Uber was granted a temporary four month license back in May, which expires on the 30th September. Transport for London said on Friday that they would not be renewing the licence, pointing to serious safety concerns, including the company’s failure to report serious criminal offences, obtain medical certificates and conduct background checks on drivers.

Uber reacted strongly to TfL’s announcement, with Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber in London, saying: “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.

“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… 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.”

Uber has been at the centre of several big controversies, culminating in the resignation of CEO Travis Kalanick. It has faced claims of sexual harassment from female workers and maltreatment of staff under their conditions of work.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he supported TfL’s decision, 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.”