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Uber ban: Sadiq Khan says TfL prepared to meet ride-sharing group over stripped taxi licence | Uber ban: Sadiq Khan says TfL prepared to meet ride-sharing group over stripped taxi licence |
(35 minutes later) | |
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed an apology by the chief executive of Uber, setting the scene for crunch talks between Transport for London and the ride-hailing giant, which was last week stripped of its licence to operate in the city. | |
In an open letter published on Monday, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi pleaded for his company to be allowed to continue operating in the capital – one of its most important European markets – after its licence expires on 30 September. | |
On Friday, TfL said that it deemed the company “not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence” and said its approach and conduct “demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications”. | |
On Monday, in a one-page letter that he tweeted from his personal account, Mr Khosrowshahi admitted that the company had “got things wrong”. He apologised for the “mistakes … made” and asked that TfL, of which Mr Khan is the chairman, give Uber the opportunity “to make things right”. | |
“We won’t be perfect, but we will listen to you; we will look to be long-term partners with the cities we serve; and we will run our business with humility, integrity and passion,” Mr Khosrowshahi said. | |
Mr Khan, who earlier in the day implied that he was not prepared to meet with Uber, on account of it being improper for a politician to interfere in what he described as a “quasi-judicial matter”, welcomed the comments. | |
“Obviously I am pleased that [Mr Khosrowshahi] has acknowledged the issues that Uber faces in London,” he said. “Even though there is a legal process in place, I have asked TfL to make themselves available to meet with him.” | |
Uber on Friday said it was “astounded” by TfL’s decision. It has since confirmed that it is challenging the move. | |
Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber in London, launched an online petition to challenge TfL’s move on Friday. By Monday evening it had already garnered almost 770,000 virtual signatures. | Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber in London, launched an online petition to challenge TfL’s move on Friday. By Monday evening it had already garnered almost 770,000 virtual signatures. |
Mr Khosrowshahi recently joined Uber from Expedia, after his predecessor, Travis Kalanick – who founded Uber about eight years ago – resigned in the face of shareholder outrage over company culture. | |
In addition to the TfL ban, Mr Khosrowshahi is also juggling legal suits alleging the company stole self-driving technology from Google parent Alphabet and a bribery investigation in Asia. | In addition to the TfL ban, Mr Khosrowshahi is also juggling legal suits alleging the company stole self-driving technology from Google parent Alphabet and a bribery investigation in Asia. |
TfL on Friday gave the company 21 days to appeal the decision not to extend the licence, during which time Uber can continue to operate. | TfL on Friday gave the company 21 days to appeal the decision not to extend the licence, during which time Uber can continue to operate. |
An estimated 3.5 million people use Uber in London and if the decision stands, it could put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work. | An estimated 3.5 million people use Uber in London and if the decision stands, it could put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work. |