
Photo courtesy Pixabay.
Uber riders have responded in force to the U.K. Government’s move to shut down Uber London operations. In this Change.org riders ask the London Mayor to reconsider the decision.
https://www.change.org/p/save-your-uber-in-london-saveyouruber
In an announcement that caught many by surprise, the city agency Transport for London has announced it will not reissue Uber’s private hire license within the city.
According to the agency, the company operations were not “fit and proper” for the city, and the groundbreaking ride-sharing company had only one week left until its current license runs out.
Uber has announced it will appeal the decision, which will allow drivers to stay on the road until a final ruling is passed.
Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber London, slammed the decision, saying that:
“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.”
Uber also noted that their drivers undergo the same background checks as London’s black cab drivers. In a statement, the company countered the city’s criticism, saying:
“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. 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.
For now, the ride-sharing platform will continue to operate within London. The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 states that companies are permitted to appeal decisions within 21 days. Uber has already announced it will counter Transport for London’s claims in court, which would enable drivers to keep operating until a final judgement is passed.
Uber has created a petition on Change.org petitioning the Mayor to reconsider the decision. You may view the petition here:
https://www.change.org/p/save-your-uber-in-london-saveyouruber
You must be logged in to post a comment.