TfL likely to publish more details of Uber London licence rejection DURING appeals process

Transport for London are likely to publish more detailed reasons why they rejected Uber an operator's licence during the appeals process, according to the London Mayor.

In November 2019 the ride-hailing giants were rejected a new operator’s licence in the capital and have since submitted an appeal against the decision.

According to the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, it is ‘likely’ more details surrounding the reasons why the licence was rejected will be published at an appropriate time during the appeal process and with the approval of the Magistrate’s Court.

As part of December’s Mayor Question Time, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, Caroline Pidgeon, asked the London Mayor: “On the 22 September 2017 the General Manager of Uber London Limited (Uber) was sent a 21 page letter setting out Transport for London’s (TfL) reasons for not renewing its London Private Hire Vehicles Operator’s Licence.

“Will you ensure that the full details of TfL’s recent ruling on the 25 November 2019 relating to Uber are published?”

The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, responded by saying: “On 25 November, TfL confirmed that it would not grant Uber a new private hire operator’s licence in response to its latest application.

“TfL identified a pattern of failures by Uber, including several breaches that placed passengers and their safety at risk.  Due to the public interest, TfL has set out the reasons behind its licensing decision.

“Uber has submitted an appeal against the licensing decision and The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 allows the company to continue to operate pending the appeal and throughout the appeals process.

“During the previous appeal process, which you refer to above, TfL put a number of documents into the public domain. The documents were published at an appropriate time during the appeal process and with the approval of the Magistrate’s Court. It is likely that TfL will take a similar approach in this case.”