Uber London ban appeal successful, gets new licence to operate

Uber will be given a new licence to operate in London after a judge upheld its appeal against a Transport for London ban.

TfL had refused the taxi company a renewed licence to operate in the UK's capital at the tail end of 2019. But, Westminster Magistrates' Court ruled that Uber was now a "fit and proper" company.

Having previously granted a licence after a similar stand-off in 2017, TfL had subsequently refused to renew it again, citing failures in passenger safety and security.

It also claimed that it found instances of unauthorised drivers exploiting vulnerabilities in the Uber app to carry passengers without the correct licensing.

However, while the court recognised failings in the past, it was reassured that steps have been made by the firm to close any vulnerabilities and security loop-holes.

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"Despite their historical failings, I find them, now, to be a fit and proper person to hold a London PHV [private hire vehicle] operator's licence," said deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram (as reported by the BBC).

He is yet to decide on the length of the new licence and any conditions that should be imposed.

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