Uber could be out of London in just eight days

Popular minicab service Uber could be no more in London in just eight days time, after Transport for London decided not to renew its private hire operator licence.

The US-based service, which offers minicab rides booked and paid for through its app, claims to have 30,000 drivers and 3.5 million weekly users in the capital.

It has been the subject of major protest from black cab operators in recent years, claiming Uber’s ease of use, lower fares and reliance on GPS undermines the street-hailing and Knowledge-pandering convenience of the Hackney carriage.

Now, London’s transport authority has said Uber London - the tech giant’s local subsidiary - would not be issued with a private hire operator licence after the expiry of its current licence on 30 September.

“TfL has concluded that Uber London Ltd is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence,” the local government organisation’s statement read.

“TfL considers that Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications.”

It said those include Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences, how medical certificates are obtained, and how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks are obtained.

TfL also said it had concerns around Uber’s approach to explaining to use of ‘Greyball’ in the capital.

‘Greyball’ is a piece of software used by Uber, which TfL says could be used to block regulators from gaining “full access” to the app, and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.

The refusal to renew Uber’s licence doesn’t mean the service disappears in eight days, however, as the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 included provisions to appeal a licensing decision within 21 days.

TfL confirmed Uber could continue to operate until any appeal processes it decides to pursue have been exhausted.

Unions were quick to respond to the news, with TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady saying Uber’s fate was entirely of its own making.

“It is perfectly possible to run a taxi company without treating drivers poorly and cutting corners on customer safety.

“This should be a cautionary tale for gig economy employers,” O’Grady cautioned.

“Unions will expose nasty schemes that cheat workers out of basic rights like the minimum wage and holiday pay.”

Chair of London’s Unite black cab section Jim Kelly, said Transport for London had done the “right thing” in “putting the safety of passengers and Londoners ahead of the big corporate interests of Uber.

“Dogged by controversy, Uber’s approach has been to exploit workers and bend the rules while trying to brush passenger safety concerns under the carpet.”