This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50544283

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Uber loses licence to operate in London Uber loses licence to operate in London
(about 1 hour later)
Uber will not be granted a new licence to operate in London, Transport for London (TfL) has said. Uber will not be granted a new licence to operate in London after repeated safety failures, Transport for London (TfL) has said.
The regulator said the taxi app was not "fit and proper" as a licence holder, despite having made a number of positive changes to its operations.The regulator said the taxi app was not "fit and proper" as a licence holder, despite having made a number of positive changes to its operations.
Uber originally lost its licence in 2017 due to safety concerns, but was granted a 15-month extension. Uber initially lost its licence in 2017 but was granted two extensions, the most recent of which expired on Sunday.
The firm says it will appeal against the decision and can continue to operate during that process. The firm will appeal and can continue to operate during that process.
It had received an additional two-month extension in September which expired on Sunday. About 45,000 drivers work for Uber in London, which is one of its top five markets globally.
Uber has faced resistance from regulators and traditional taxi services in a range of countries after being dogged by controversy for a number of years. Explaining its decision not to renew, TfL said it had identified a "pattern of failures" that placed passenger safety and security at risk.
Helen Chapman, Director of Licensing, Regulation and Charging at TfL, said: "As the regulator of private hire services in London we are required to make a decision today on whether Uber is fit and proper to hold a licence. Safety is our absolute top priority. These included a change to Uber's systems which allowed unauthorised drivers to upload their photos to other Uber driver accounts.
"While we recognise Uber has made improvements, it is unacceptable that Uber has allowed passengers to get into minicabs with drivers who are potentially unlicensed and uninsured." It meant at least 14,000 fraudulent trips were carried out in London in late 2018 and early 2019, TfL said.
Fiona Cincotta, market analyst at City Index, told BBC Radio 4's Today that if Uber's appeal failed: "Here in London, there would be competition that would fill that void quite quickly." The regulator also found dismissed or suspended drivers had been able to create Uber accounts and carry passengers, "compromising passenger safety and security".
Shorter licences Helen Chapman, Director of Licensing, Regulation and Charging at TfL, said: "While we recognise Uber has made improvements, it is unacceptable that Uber has allowed passengers to get into minicabs with drivers who are potentially unlicensed and uninsured."
Uber said the decision was "extraordinary and wrong". London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I know this decision may be unpopular with Uber users, but their safety is the paramount concern. Regulations are there to keep Londoners safe."
"We have fundamentally changed our business over the last two years and are setting the standard on safety," said Jamie Heywood, regional general manager for Northern & Eastern Europe at Uber. Strengthened processes
"TfL found us to be a fit and proper operator just two months ago, and we continue to go above and beyond." Uber said the decision was "extraordinary and wrong", and that it had fundamentally changed its business over the last two years.
"Over the last two months we have audited every driver in London and further strengthened our processes.," he added. Jamie Heywood, regional general manager for Northern & Eastern Europe at Uber, said: "Over the last two months we have audited every driver in London and further strengthened our processes."
About 45,000 drivers work for Uber in London, and if its licence is ultimately rejected all of them could lose their jobs. If Uber's appeal is unsuccessful some think it would leave a huge gap in the London ride-hailing market.
However, there are other apps providing a similar service which they could join. However, Fiona Cincotta, market analyst at City Index, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Here in London, there would be competition that would fill that void quite quickly."
According to Uber, 24% of its sales come from just five cities, including London. The others are Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and São Paulo in Brazil.
If Uber did leave London, it would not be alone
TfL can offer licences of up to five years, but it has been more stringent of late.TfL can offer licences of up to five years, but it has been more stringent of late.
In July, Indian ride-hailing company Ola got a 15-month agreement for its entry into the London market, while ViaVan got a three-year licence renewal.In July, Indian ride-hailing company Ola got a 15-month agreement for its entry into the London market, while ViaVan got a three-year licence renewal.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the Uber ruling. He said: "Only in the last few months it has been established that 14,000 Uber journeys have involved fraudulent drivers uploading their photos to other driver accounts - with passengers' safety potentially put at risk getting into cars with unlicensed and suspended drivers." In September 2017, TfL declined to renew Uber's licence on similar safety grounds, citing Uber's approach to carrying out background checks on drivers and reporting serious criminal offences.
In September 2017, TfL said it declined to renew Uber's licence on the grounds of "public safety and security implications". Uber's use of secret software, called "Greyball", which could be used to block regulators from monitoring the app, was another factor, although Uber said it had never been used in the UK.
TfL's concerns included Uber's approach to carrying out background checks on drivers and reporting serious criminal offences.
Uber's use of secret software, called "Greyball", which could be used to block regulators from monitoring the app, was another factor, according to TfL.
At the time, Uber rejected TfL's claims that it endangered public safety and said Greyball had never been used in the UK for the purposes cited by TfL.
Would you be sad to see Uber go in London? Or would you just move on to another ride-hailing app? Share your reactions by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Would you be sad to see Uber go in London? Or would you just move on to another ride-hailing app? Share your reactions by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or please use the form below:Or please use the form below: