(Un)expectedly: 'Unfit' Uber loses London license over safety failures

[rainman + 263]

Uber (UBER.N) was stripped of its license to carry paying passengers in London on Monday for the second time in just over two years, pending an appeal, over a “pattern of failures” on safety and security. Unauthorized drivers were able to upload their photos to others’ accounts so that, on over 14,000 trips, a driver other than the advertised one picked up passengers, the regulator Transport for London (TfL) said. The ride-hailing firm immediately said it would appeal. The process is likely to include court action and could drag on for months, allowing Uber’s roughly 45,000 drivers in London, one of its most important markets, to keep taking rides despite its license expiring on Monday.

[Pavel + 384]

Just think what they are doing with their tax returns....Probably the same scenario everywhere.

[pinto + 293]

This is just a matter of consumer convenience. Is also a question of London's attractiveness as an open, global city. In parallel, the law must be the same for all.

[damirUSBiH + 327]

1 minute ago, pinto said:

This is just a matter of consumer convenience. Is also a question of London's attractiveness as an open, global city. In parallel, the law must be the same for all.

Initially the decision seems bad, but if the reports are that there are 14,000 drivers operating with photos against another name, it should definitely be taken seriously.

[BALBOA + 37]

I'm not Uber fan, but I still think banning them is wrong. That’s a lot of people losing their livelihood so that black cabs keep their monopoly. Regulate them properly, don’t ban them.

[joze44 + 39]

Its not a ban. Its a rescind of the licence issued by TFL. If you want private hire to be licenced then the authority must have the power to rescind.

[50 shades of black + 254]

7 minutes ago, joze44 said:

Its not a ban. Its a rescind of the licence issued by TFL. If you want private hire to be licenced then the authority must have the power to rescind.

It smells as a "London black cabs mob". They are far too expensive. In London, as well as in NYC or Paris, Uber becomes a problem because they are cheaper..

[ThunderBlade + 231]

Let's say: 
Cost (Uber is FAR cheaper, especially at night).
On line booking.
Uber comes to you.
Availability usually within 5 mins. 
That’s enough USP to satisfy me. 
UBER does need to tighten up on its driver registration malpractices. But this is not enough to deprive them of a licence!

[NickW + 2,714]

On 11/25/2019 at 2:11 PM, BALBOA said:

I'm not Uber fan, but I still think banning them is wrong. That’s a lot of people losing their livelihood so that black cabs keep their monopoly. Regulate them properly, don’t ban them.

There are plenty of other licensed private hire firms in London

Legitimate private hire drivers can just go and work for a licensed firm. 

TfL gave them a temporary licence subject to meeting conditions - they failed to meet them hence the lose of their licence to operate.