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Uber Banned from Operating in London

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Remember earlier this week when we announced Uber drivers in London would have to use all electric vehicles by 2019? Plot twist.

As of Sept. 30, Uber will lose its license to operate in London.

The ride-sharing service’s current license expires at the end of this month, and Transport for London rejected the company’s request for renewal due to “Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility.”

This isn’t the first scuffle between Uber and the Transport of London. Last year, Uber sued the Transport of London over a requirement for drivers to pass a written English test.

Truthfully, this isn’t all that shocking. Uber has been involved in a variety of scandals over the last year, including sexual harassment, the potential scamming of passengers, and the replacement of their CEO.

Uber has already announced its plans to appeal the Transport of London’s decision, but there’s no telling what the outcome will be. Once the license expires on Sept. 30, Uber has 21 days to appeal; the company will continue operations in London during the appeal process.

This decision’s effects are widespread; Uber serves 3.5 million passengers and employs 40,000 drivers in the city of London.

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, is publicly supporting the Transport of London’s decision: “All companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect – particularly when it comes to the safety of customers,” says the mayor. “Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security.”

Uber’s scandals all over the world have created problems for their business; they have already been forced to pull out of several countries, including Denmark and Hungary. But whether or not they will win the appeal in London is entirely up in the air.


News Sources: The Guardian, BBC