Uber gets London operating licence back for now after winning appeal

The US company can operate in the British capital for the next 18 months as it appeals against Transport for London’s refusal to renew its licence

The judge ruled that despite its ‘historical failings’ over unauthorised drivers, the ride-hailing giant was a ‘fit and proper’ firm

Reading Time:2 minutes

A woman holds a smartphone showing the Uber app in front of a traditional London black cab. The San Francisco-based company has won its appeal to operate in London. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:10pm, 28 Sep 2020Updated: 11:04pm, 28 Sep 2020

Uber on Monday won a London court appeal, allowing the US ride-hailing giant to operate in the capital for the next 18 months, after a judge ruled it was a “fit and proper” firm despite safety concerns.

Uber – which has 3.5 million customers and 45,000 drivers in the British capital – overturned Transport for London’s (TfL) refusal last year to renew its operating licence around the issue of unauthorised drivers.

The San Francisco-based company was permitted to continue operating in London during the appeal process.

Despite pointing to Uber’s “historical failings”, judge Tan Ikram on Monday said Uber was “a fit and proper person” to hold a private hire vehicle operator’s licence in London.

He noted that Uber had sought to explain how breaches had taken place and how they would be remedied.

Uber can operate in the British capital for the next 18 months as it appeals against Transport for London’s refusal to renew its licence. Photo: Reuters

Jamie Heywood, Uber’s general manager for northern and eastern Europe, said Monday’s decision was a recognition of the company’s “commitment to safety”.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x