Uber has lost its license to operate in London.
The firm’s application for a new license in London was rejected on the basis that the company is not a “fit and proper” private car hire operator.
Transport for London announced that Uber would not be issued a private-hire operator’s license after its current one ends 30 September.
The licensing body also said it was concerned by Uber’s use of Greyball, software that can be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to its app and undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.
Uber’s cars will not disappear immediately as its current license expires on 30 September and it plans to challenge the ruling by London’s transport authority in the courts immediately. The hailing app can continue to operate in the capital – where it has 3.5 million users – until the firm has exhausted the appeals process. Uber has 21 days to launch an appeal but can continue to operate until the process expires – which could take months.
The decision by the London mayor’s transport body, Transport for London, was backed by Sadiq Khan, employment rights campaigners, and the trade body for the capital’s black-cab drivers, who have been staunch opponents of the US-based company.
However, This doesn’t actually mean Uber will stop operating in London after 30 September, according to Transport for London. The firm has 21 days to appeal the decision and can continue operating in London until that process is exhausted.
Uber’s ban has sparked an outcry from a coalition of customers, government ministers and drivers at the ride-hailing company.