UPDATE 6/26/18: Uber is returning to the streets of London.
The Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday granted the app-based car service a 15-month probationary license to, once again, operate in London, provided it adheres to a list of conditions. That includes providing licensing authority Transport for London (TfL) with the results of an "independently verified" review of its procedures every six months.
"We are pleased with today's decision," Tom Elvidge, General Manager of Uber in the UK, said in a statement emailed to PCMag. "We will continue to work with [Transport for London] to address their concerns and earn their trust, while providing the best possible service for our customers."
Of course, not everyone is as pleased with the decision. London's Licensed Taxi Drivers Association tweeted that Uber "overawed" the judge:
Uber granted 15 month short term licence pursuant to complying with a list of conditions. How predictable, the Magistrate was overawed by the scale and worldwide interest in this case, standing up to a $70 billion dollar company was just too much for her! — The LTDA (@TheLTDA) June 26, 2018
In a Tuesday statement, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he "fully supported" TfL's decision to not renew Uber's operating license in September, which forced the company to rework its London operations.
"After years of operating poorly in London, Uber has now accepted that TfL's action in refusing to renew their license was totally justified," Khan wrote. "As a result of us standing up for Londoners, Uber has been forced to overhaul the way it operates not just in London but across the world, including completely changing its global governance structures and implementing new systems for reporting alleged crimes."
Uber in February pledged to start proactively reporting serious incidents to the Metropolitan Police, rather than placing that onus on drivers and passengers. The company also recently appointed three independent directors to its UK boards and introduced 24/7 telephone support for passengers and drivers in the UK.
Original Story (9/22/17):
Need a ride in London? After next Saturday, Uber will no longer be an option.
The government body responsible for London's transport system, Transport for London (TfL), on Friday announced it will not be renewing Uber's license to operate in the city when it expires on Sept. 30 after concluding that Uber is "not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license."
"Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications," the statement continued.
Those issues include Uber's "approach to reporting serious criminal offenses," the company's practice of "greyballing," and more. Greyballing, which came to light in March, involves the use of software to deceive authorities in cities where the ride-hailing service is banned. Shortly after the practice made headlines, Uber promised to stop greyballing law enforcement in the future.
Uber has faced a string of other scandals of late, from allegations of rampant sexism, which led to the resignation of former CEO Travis Kalanick, to revelations of a controversial tracking feature that allowed the company to keep tabs on riders after their trip ended, which is ended last month.
TfL's announcement has sparked backlash on social media with some calling the move "protectionism" for black cab drivers. According to the London Evening Standard, black cab drivers have been lobbying hard for such a decision in recent months.
An Uber-created Change.org petition to save Uber in London has already received more than 123,000 signatures.
"By wanting to ban our app from the capital, Transport for London and the Mayor have given in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice," Uber wrote. "If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive millions of Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport."