On Monday 28th September, a San Francisco-based ride-hailing company regained an 18-month license to operate in the UK.
Uber has lost its operating license twice since 2017 and in November last year Transport for London rejected the company’s application for a renewal citing “passenger safety” issues due to imposter drivers. The Mayor of London already faces tremendous pressure from the black cab protestors who had apparently earlier in this month heckled him outside the City Hall with racist comments calling him a “Paki” and that he did not represent them. Now, Uber’s latest victory can prove to be a challenge for the Indian competitor and ride-sharing App Ola cabs. But Uber also faces a separate case at the Supreme Court over whether drivers should be considered workers with rights.
In the meantime, Sadiq Khan is “closely monitoring” Uber with a vow to take “swift action” if the company fails to abide by the passenger safety standards.
