Uber’s license to operate in London will not be renewed after regulators found at least 14,000 scammed trips over the last year. Transport for London (TfL) found a “pattern of failures” which led to risks in passenger safety and security, after unlicensed and uninsured drivers used a loophole in Uber’s software to steal rides from authorized vendors.
TfL director Helen Chapman said: “While we recognize Uber has made improvements, it is unacceptable that Uber has allowed passengers to get into minicabs with drivers who are potentially unlicensed and uninsured.” London mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement that he supported the decision. ,” Khan’s statement reads, “I know this decision may be unpopular with Uber users, but their safety is the paramount concern. Regulations are there to keep Londoners safe.”
Uber said it would appeal the “extraordinary and wrong” decision. While the appeal is ongoing, the company will continue to operate in London, a market which includes 3.5 million riders and 45,000 licensed drivers. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi took to Twitter to protest the decision.
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