Uber granted 30-month London private hire operator’s licence

Uber has been granted a two-and-a-half year private hire licence to operate in London.

The ride-hailing firm had been refused a licence by Transport for London in November 2019, citing safety breaches. But in September 2020, a judge upheld Uber’s appeal against the decision and granted it an 18-month licence.

Jamie Heywood (pictured), Uber’s regional general manager, northern Europe, said: “Delighted that TfL has awarded us a licence to continue operating in London for the first time since our launch ten years ago.”

While the license issued is not for a full five-year term, the decision highlights improvements in passenger safety and data protection since the 2019 refusal.

In a statement, Uber said: “We’re delighted to announce TfL has granted Uber a new 30- month licence in London. TfL rightly holds our industry to the highest regulatory and safety standards and we are pleased to have met their high bar.”

“As we continue to serve London, we remain focused on raising industry standards in all areas. These include offering drivers the benefits and protections they deserve, ensuring all Londoners can get around safely and becoming a fully electric platform by 2025.”

In February 2021, the Supreme Court ruled Uber drivers must be treated as workers rather than self-employed. The decision meant drivers could be entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay.