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Uber begins appeal over London licence denial Uber tells court 'we needed to change' in London licence appeal
(about 3 hours later)
A London court is considering whether Uber is "fit and proper" to hold an operator licence in the capital. Taxi app firm Uber has told a court it accepted its London operating licence should not have been renewed last year over safety concerns, but says there has been "wholesale change" since then.
The taxi app company has begun making its case at Westminster Magistrates' Court in a hearing that is expected to last several days. Westminster Magistrates' Court is considering if Uber is "fit and proper" to hold a licence in the capital.
Last September, Transport for London refused to renew Uber's licence on grounds of public safety and security.Last September, Transport for London refused to renew Uber's licence on grounds of public safety and security.
Uber said it has since made significant changes, such as improving procedures for reporting criminal actions. Uber has been able to operate normally during the appeal process.
Various media outlets have quoted a memo reportedly sent by Uber to Transport for London, in which it said that as many as 1,148 London-licensed Uber drivers had been accused of "category A" offences such as sexual incidents, stalking and dangerous driving. The court hearing began on Monday and is expected to last several days.
The court will take the changes made by Uber into account and decide whether it is now fit to hold an operator licence. Tom de la Mare QC, representing Uber, told the court the firm had taken the "unusual" stance of not opposing TfL's reasons for not renewing the licence.
He said: "We accept TfL's decision in September was the right decision on the evidence at the time."
However, Mr de la Mare argued TfL's last three inspections showed a "perfect record of compliance" and said three non-executive board members were now in place to ensure "total compliance to the letter and spirit" of regulatory obligations.
According to the firm, 3.6 million passengers regularly use its app in London and it has 45,000 drivers in the city.
The original reasons for the refusal were outlined in a 21-page document.The original reasons for the refusal were outlined in a 21-page document.
Uber has been allowed to carry on operating in London while awaiting to appeal. Various media outlets have quoted a memo reportedly sent by Uber to Transport for London, in which it said that as many as 1,148 London-licensed Uber drivers had been accused of "category A" offences such as sexual incidents, stalking and dangerous driving.
"I know we got things wrong and that we have more work to do. But I promise Londoners we will keep listening and improving as Uber moves forward in a new direction," Uber's UK general manager, Tom Elvidge, said in May. Reforms
Since being denied a licence to operate in London, Uber has implemented a number of changes.
Uber now reports crimes directly to the police - previously it had logged criminal complaints with Transport for London, which caused delays.
Drivers are now only allowed to use the app in the region they hold a private hire licence.
The working hours of its drivers are also more tightly regulated. A licensed driver on its app must take an uninterrupted six-hour break after 10 hours of driving with a passenger or travelling to a pick up.
The company has also revamped its leadership. Three independent non-executives have been appointed to its UK board.
Analysis by Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondentAnalysis by Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondent
A kinder, gentler and humbler Uber - that is the image the taxi app company hopes to project in court this week as it battles for its future in what is one of its most important markets.A kinder, gentler and humbler Uber - that is the image the taxi app company hopes to project in court this week as it battles for its future in what is one of its most important markets.
It will stress that a lot has changed at a business that once prided itself on confronting local regulators in a whirlwind of creative disruption.It will stress that a lot has changed at a business that once prided itself on confronting local regulators in a whirlwind of creative disruption.
A new boss, Dara Khosrowshahi, came to London and actually said sorry, and in February new measures were announced to co-operate with the police over allegations of driver misconduct - Transport for London's main concern when it refused a new licence.A new boss, Dara Khosrowshahi, came to London and actually said sorry, and in February new measures were announced to co-operate with the police over allegations of driver misconduct - Transport for London's main concern when it refused a new licence.
The fact that Uber is seeking a new licence for just 18 months, rather than the full five years it expected last autumn - and that it appears to have been agreeing with TfL a list of conditions it will have to meet - shows that it accepts it is still on probation.The fact that Uber is seeking a new licence for just 18 months, rather than the full five years it expected last autumn - and that it appears to have been agreeing with TfL a list of conditions it will have to meet - shows that it accepts it is still on probation.
Rory's technology blogRory's technology blog
Justin Bowden, national secretary at GMB, the union for taxi drivers, said: "Uber lost its licence in London because it refused to play by London's rules, particularly on the crucial issue of passenger safety, and it won't get it back until it accepts that an 'Uber's way, or no way' attitude to safety and its drivers will not prevail." Legal battles
He added: "Uber's licence will not be returned by legal action, but by genuine contrition and real change, which can only come about from engagement with Transport for London as the licensing authority and drivers' representatives like GMB."
According to the firm, 3.6 million passengers regularly use its app in London and it has 45,000 drivers in the city.
Since being denied a licence to operate in London, Uber has implemented a number of changes.
Uber now reports crimes directly to the police - previously it had logged criminal complaints with Transport for London, which caused delays.
Drivers are now only allowed to use the app in the region they hold a private hire licence.
The working hours of its drivers are also more tightly regulated. A licensed driver on its app must take an uninterrupted six-hour break after 10 hours of driving with a passenger or travelling to a pick up.
Drivers who do not take a long enough break will not be able to log in to the app and take trips.
The company has also revamped its leadership. Three independent non-executives have been appointed to its UK board.
Uber has also had difficulties getting licences in Brighton, York and Sheffield.Uber has also had difficulties getting licences in Brighton, York and Sheffield.
In a separate case in 2016, Uber lost a legal battle over the status of its drivers.In a separate case in 2016, Uber lost a legal battle over the status of its drivers.
A London employment tribunal ruled that its drivers were workers, rather than self-employed.A London employment tribunal ruled that its drivers were workers, rather than self-employed.
It meant drivers would be entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks and the national minimum wage.It meant drivers would be entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks and the national minimum wage.
Are you an Uber driver or do you use the service? What is your reaction to this story? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you an Uber driver or do you use the service? What is your reaction to this story? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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