The City of London’s transportation agency TfL, or Transport for London, has granted Uber a 30-month licence to keep its ridesharing services up and running after a lengthy battle over the company’s safety protocols. Uber first lost its licence to operate in the English capital in 2017 after TfL accused them of demonstrating “a lack of corporate responsibility” with potential “public safety and security implications.”
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Major issues were highlighted, including failing to properly report criminal offences and issues driver background checks, obtaining medical certificates, and also brought up Uber’s alleged use of Greyball, a software that hid the ride-hailing service from regulators.
We’re delighted to announce @TfL has granted Uber a new 30 month licence in London. TfL rightly holds our industry to the highest regulatory and safety standards and we are pleased to have met their high bar.
— Uber UK (@UberUK) March 26, 2022
“As we continue to serve London, we remain focused on raising industry standards in all areas,” Uber said. “These include offering drivers the benefits and protections they deserve, ensuring all Londoners can get around safely and becoming a fully electric platform by 2025.”
After the initial instance of Uber’s license being revoked many millions of dollars was spent in various courts to get the decision overturned. It finally won a 15-month appeal in the court, but then lost its license again in 2019 after TfL said the company was still not “fit and proper” to operate in London. A judge then again granted Uber the ability to operate in 2020 for another 18 months despite the company’s “historical failings.”
Uber has been taking safety a lot more seriously in recent years. It has added various safety features in the app and improved its vetting processes. The app now includes a panic button, a way for riders to report their drivers for unsafe behaviour, as well as the ability for drivers and riders to record audio during trips.
Last year, Uber lost a legal battle in the UK over its drivers’ employment status, requiring the company to start classifying its UK-based drivers as employees, granting them minimum wage, paid vacation, and other benefits.
