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| Uber tells court 'we needed to change' in London licence appeal | Uber tells court 'we needed to change' in London licence appeal |
| (3 days later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Westminster Magistrates' Court is considering if Uber is "fit and proper" to hold a licence in the capital. | 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 has been able to operate normally during the appeal process. | Uber has been able to operate normally during the appeal process. |
| The court hearing began on Monday and is expected to last several days. | The court hearing began on Monday and is expected to last several days. |
| 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Reforms | Reforms |
| Since being denied a licence to operate in London, Uber has implemented a number of changes. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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 correspondent | Analysis 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 blog | Rory's technology blog |
| Legal battles | Legal battles |
| 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. |