Cambridge reviews Uber licence following London, Sheffield suspensions

Cambridge is reviewing Uber’s licence to determine whether the company is a “fit and proper” private car hire operator following suspensions in London and Sheffield.

Cambridge’s Taxi Licensing Committee will meet on Monday to discuss the renewal of the ride-sharing app’s licence, which expires later this month, in light of the Transport for London (TfL) suspension, the Cambridge News reports. Although Cambridge transport firms have lodged objections about Uber since it began operating in the city last November, complaints about how the newcomer handles booking were not upheld, the newspaper says.

TfL refused to renew Uber’s licence in September, when it accused the operator of a “lack of corporate responsibility”. Safety concerns cited included the way Uber handled police reports of alleged sexual assaults by drivers.

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A judge at a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday scheduled Uber’s appeal against the London licence ban to begin on 30 April and last for five days, Reuters say. However, the judge warned that the hearing might be delayed until June.

And if there are grounds for further appeals, the process could take years, although Uber reportedly hopes to have reached a deal with TfL before it has exhausted its legal options.

London is “one of Uber’s biggest and most profitable markets, and the loss of its licence was seen as a major blow for the company as it struggles to repair its reputation”, says The Daily Telegraph.

Uber’s licence has also been suspended in Sheffield, but the firm’s drivers can continue to operate there until 18 December. The city council has announced that if Uber lodges an appeal, its drivers will be allowed to operate until that appeal is heard, CNBC News reports.

Sheffield suspended Uber’s licence last Friday after the company failed to respond to questions about the management of its taxi app, the local authority said. Uber blamed an administrative error.