“Uber’s business model has been exposed” says London taxi association ahead of Uber licence appeal

“Uber’s business model has been exposed” said a taxi association leader ahead of the ride-hailing giant’s licence renewal appeal set to start tomorrow.

The statement made by the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) General Secretary, Steve McNamara, comes just before Uber starts its appeal to have a new London operator’s licence granted.

The courts were set to hear Uber’s appeal earlier this summer before being adjourned to the later date due to the impact of COVID-19. Westminster Magistrates’ Court will allow Uber a whole day to open its case tomorrow, Monday 14 September, while Transport for London (TfL) will take only 45 minutes.

This follows the decision last year by Transport for London (TfL) not to renew Uber’s licence due to safety concerns.

An Uber spokesperson released a statement soon after learning of its licence refusal saying: “We have fundamentally changed our business over the last 2 years, setting the standard for safety in the industry. TfL’s decision on our London licence is wrong and we will appeal. Uber will continue to operate as normal.“

Steve McNamara, LTDA General Secretary, said in the TAXI magazine: “Next week will see Uber returning to court to appeal TfL’s decision not to renew its operator’s licence. Uber is by no means the threat it once was to the cab trade, but as an interested party in the case, the LTDA continues to highlight the major safety breaches that occurred on the company’s watch and the risks associated with reversing TfL’s decision."

McNamara added: “A leopard doesn’t change it spots and they have demonstrated time and time again that they can’t be trusted and always fail to do the right thing. Uber’s business model has been exposed for what it is – exploitative and increasingly a failed one.

“It is clear that the company is not and never was a fit and proper operator and we hope the Court will uphold TfL’s decision.”