Uber licensing decision a “disaster for London” says taxi association General Secretary

Uber licensing decision a “disaster for London” says Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) General Secretary.

Today ride-hailing firm Uber won its appeal to be granted a new London operator’s licence following a court ruling despite the magistrate acknowledging their ‘historical failings’.

Deputy Senior Judge Tan Ikram deemed the private hire firm to be a ‘fit and proper person to hold a London Private Hire Vehicle operator’s licence’.

In his decision on Uber’s appeal against Transport for London’s (TfL) refusal to renew its operating licence, Deputy Senior Judge Tan Ikram, stated that he had “sufficient confidence that ULL no longer poses a risk to public safety”, finding that the company is now ‘fit and proper’ to hold a private hire vehicle operator’s licence.

The appeal was heard from 14 to 17 September, with judgement subsequently reserved until today.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the LTDA, an interested party in the case, said: “Today’s decision is a disaster for London. Uber has demonstrated time and time again that it simply can’t be trusted to put the safety of Londoners, its drivers and other road users above profit. Sadly, it seems that Uber is too big to regulate effectively, but too big to fail.

“Uber’s own witnesses admitted a series of failures to address the photo fraud issue, which put passengers at risk. Shockingly, they also accepted that they were not upfront with TfL – suggesting the issue had been addressed, when they knew full well it hadn’t.

“By holding up their hands and finally accepting some responsibility, Uber has managed to pull the wool over the eyes of the Court and create the false impression that it has changed for the better. A leopard doesn’t change its spots and we are clear that Uber’s underlying culture remains as toxic as it has ever been.

“The Judge himself has recognised that Uber has more to do, noting that ULL is ‘not perfect’ but ‘improving’ and has ‘reduced incidents’. He is setting a very low bar for a company whose track record clearly shows it can’t be trusted to disclose serious incidents and one that has consistently failed to do the right thing. He is playing Russian roulette with the safety of Londoners and I fear it’s only a matter of time until the next incident”.