Uber regains London license after winning court appeal

A judge in the United Kingdom ruled in favor of ride-hailing app Uber on Monday, allowing the company to operate in the city of London for 18 months with conditions.

The Associated Press reported that a judge overturned a decision from the transportation agency overseeing London and the surrounding areas, Transport for London, and moved to grant the company its first license in the city since it has faced two rejections in recent years.

“Uber doesn’t have a perfect record but it has an improving picture,” Deputy Chief Magistrate Tanweer Ikram said in his ruling, according to the AP. “I am satisfied that they are doing what a reasonable business in their sector could be expected to do, perhaps even more.”

Uber has continued operation in the city as it appealed its license following the first decision to revoke it in 2017, a decision made by Transport for London over alleged corporate irresponsibility. The license was rejected again in 2019 over breaches in its app that regulators said put citizens at risk, such as one that allowed some drivers to give rides without insurance.

A spokesperson for the company pledged to continue to work with Transport for London to continue to comply with the agency’s regulations.

“There is nothing more important than the safety of the people who use the Uber app as we work together to keep London moving,” said the company spokesperson.

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement that the city’s regulators would continue to keep a critical eye on Uber’s company practices.

“I can assure Londoners that TFL will continue to closely monitor Uber and will not hesitate to take swift action should they fail to meet the strict standards required to protect passengers,” he said, according to the AP.