UPDATE 1-Uber's London licence hangs in the balance on expiry day


Reuters | London | Updated: 25-11-2019 15:16 IST | Created: 25-11-2019 14:55 IST
UPDATE 1-Uber's London licence hangs in the balance on expiry day
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London's transport regulator said on Monday it has yet to decide on whether to renew Uber's operating licence in the city after a media report said the taxi app would lose its right to take rides in Britain's capital. LBC radio reported on Monday, the day the Silicon Valley firm's licence expires in London, that Uber will not receive a new licence in one of its most important markets, citing several unnamed sources.

A spokesman Transport for London said no decision has been made. Uber declined to comment. Uber and TfL have been engaged in a long-running battle since the authority rejected a renewal request in 2017, citing shortcomings it said it found in the firm's approach to reporting serious criminal offences and driver background checks, prompting legal action.

A judge in 2018 then granted Uber a probationary 15-month licence, after the Silicon Valley-based company had made several changes to its business model. In September, TfL gave Uber just a two-month extension, far short of the maximum possible five years, and imposed further conditions covering ride-sharing, appropriate insurance and driver document checks.

Ahead of the latest decision, Uber said it would introduce measures such as a discrimination button enabling drivers and riders to report abuse, enhanced safety training for drivers and a direct connection to the emergency services.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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