Uber has been given a two-month extension to its licence after its application to renew its private hire operating licence in London was rejected again by regulators.
The firm lost its licence in 2017 due to “public safety concerns”, after which a judge granted a 15-month extension.
With that extension due to expire tonight, a Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said: “Uber London Ltd has been granted a two-month private hire operator licence to allow for scrutiny of additional information that we are requesting ahead of consideration of any potential further licensing application.”
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It is the second time in two years that TfL has rejected Uber’s application for a full operating licence. The government body believes its initial decision not to license Uber had led the ride-hailing company to improve its culture and governance.
TfL has enforced additional conditions to ensure passenger safety, regarding ride sharing, insurance and scrutiny of driver’s documentation by Uber.
Jamie Heywood, a spokesperson for Uber said its “improved culture and governance reflects the progress we have made in London”. He said the company would continue “to work closely with TfL and provide any additional requested information”.
Heywood added: “We will keep listening, learning and improving to provide the best service while being a trusted partner to London.”
However, black cab drivers said the verdict shows that London mayor Sadiq Khan should “pull the plug on Uber’s immoral operation for good”.
Steve McNamara, the general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said Uber has “continued to shirk its responsibilities” and remains “a huge threat to public safety”.
The GMB union, which represents minicab drivers, said Uber had had “more chances than a game of Monopoly”.
The ruling means the ride-sharing firm must wait until November to find out if it will be granted another full five-year licence. “If it is not, it may have to stop trading in London, its most important European market,” the BBC says.
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