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25 September, 2019

Uber given two-month London license after failing to secure five-year term

Greenwich, London: Woman waiting for the UBER taxi cab on British street with message 2 minute away on screen phone meet outside - point of view looking at the phone on the street

Ridesharing giant Uber has received a two-month long license in London by transport authorities.

Uber on Tuesday was slapped with a two-month-long license by London’s integrated transport authority, Transport for London (TfL). The transport company has initially sought a maximum five-year term, Reuters reported.

This came as Uber’s probationary 15-month London license ended on Wednesday, after being granted by a judge in 2018, which followed the denial of the transport company’s renewal request in 2017.

In 2017, TfL found failings in Uber’s approach to “reporting serious criminal offences” and “driver background checks” prompting legal action. This original decision by TfL saw the transport company improve its “culture” and “governance”, TfL said on Tuesday.

TfL is now requesting additional material from Uber to help inform any future licensing decision.

“Uber London Limited has been granted a two-month private hire operator licence to allow for scrutiny of additional information that we are requesting ahead of consideration of any potential further licensing application,” a TfL spokesperson said in a statement.

Uber told Reuters it will work closely with TfL.

“We will keep listening, learning and improving to provide the best service while being a trusted partner to London,” Jamie Heywood, Uber’s recently appointed regional general manager for Northern & Eastern Europe, said.

The new two-month licence will have the same conditions that Uber has been subject to over the last 15 months, along with new conditions to ensure passenger safety. These new conditions cover ride-sharing, appropriate insurance and driver document checks by Uber.

Mayor of London and self-appointed chair of TfL Sadiq Khan, told LBC radio last month that Uber needs to play by the rules.

“You will know my track record which is standing up to the big boys, and they are boys, and make sure everyone plays by the rules,” he said, as reported by Reuters. “I don’t care how many lawyers you employ or how big your PR budget.”

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london Sadiq Khan TfL Transport for London uber