Ethan Apparies
Staff Writer
Uber was banned from operating in London England after the TFL (Transport of London) said they were unfit to operate there. Unless something changes soon Uber will be banned from operating in London starting Oct. 21.
Uber is a Technology company that connects their drivers to riders through their app. Although they may be the most convenient form of transportation the TFL is calling them unfit to operate in London. The TFL said during a public announcement reported in TechCrunch that Uber is, “not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence.” In response to the possible loss of their license Uber started a petition in London, which in less than 24 hours reached over 500,000 signatures and now nears a million. Uber says people in London rely on Uber for, "a safe, reliable and affordable ride."
The loss of Uber's license also succeed taxicab drivers outrage. Cab drivers from all over London say that Uber is taking their business. One cab driver said to a London newscaster at Metro News UK, “Average people are becoming Uber drivers, and making a few bucks here and there, all while they’re taking my job away from me. Leaving me with nothing.” Statements like this could also have swayed the TFL’s decision which could turn into an ethical issue.
Uber hopes that their petition will bring the TFL to their senses. If not Uber is losing a major city in which they operate and if they are banned from London, are other major cities globally going to do the same? Uber hopes they will repeal the motion and, in the meantime, are doing everything they can to make sure it happened.
Research:
Lomas, Natasha. “Uber Only Has Itself to Blame for London License Loss.” TechCrunch, TechCrunch, 23 Sept. 2017, techcrunch.com/2017/09/23/uber-only-has-itself-to-blame-for-london-license-loss/.
Metro.co.uk, Georgia Diebelius for. “Black Cab Drivers React to Uber Being Stripped of Its Licence.” Metro, Metro News UK, 22 Sept. 2017, metro.co.uk/2017/09/22/black-cab-drivers-react-to-uber-being-stripped-of-its-licence-6948423/.
Shiryaevskaya, Anna. “Uber Petition to Revoke London Ban Reaches 730,000 Signatures.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 25 Sept. 2017, www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uber-petition-london-ban-730000-signatures-tfl-sadiq-khan-taxi-licence-expire-not-renew-a7965331.html.
