Uber has emerged victorious in a legal battle which is meant to restore its London operating license which was ceased from the company over safety concerns after it was ruled on Monday by a Judge that the ride hailing company is fit and proper operator despite its “historical failings”.
Transport for London had earlier refused to grant the US-based company a new license back in 2019 based on what it called a “pattern of failures,” as well as thousands of trips which were conducted whereby the drivers other than those advertised picked up passengers.
Uber on the other hand had argued that it has since assuaged concerns through the improvement of insurance document verification systems and rolling out real-time identification.
This license was denied back in 2017 as well which was a major blow to one of its most important important market then the license was eventually restored based on probation.
“I am satisfied that they are doing what a reasonable business in their sector could be expected to do, perhaps even more,” Judge Tan Ikram said on Monday.
“Despite their historical failings, I find them, now, to be a fit and proper person to hold a London… operator’s licence,” he said, granting an 18-month right to take rides.
The company had at some point apologized for its mistakes and even faced some serious regulatory challenges including in its home state of California.
“This decision is a recognition of Uber’s commitment to safety and we will continue to work constructively with TfL,” Jamie Heywood, Uber’s boss for Northern and Eastern Europe, said.
In London, it faces a number of rivals, including Ola, Freenow and Bolt. The city’s traditional black cab drivers have blocked streets in protest at what they see as a threat to their livelihoods.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also chairs TfL, warned Uber on Monday to stick to its obligations.
“I can assure Londoners that TfL will continue to closely monitor Uber and will not hesitate to take swift action should they fail to meet the strict standards required to protect passengers,” he said in a statement.