LONDON (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc avoided a ban in London on Tuesday after the taxi-hailing app’s new management made changes to ease strained relations with city authorities, but its new license put it on probation in its largest European market.
Uber overhauled its policies and personnel in Britain after Transport for London (TfL) refused to renew its license in September for failings in its approach to reporting serious criminal offences and background checks on drivers.
The ruling has been a test of Uber’s new management at board level, with Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi, who took charge the month before TfL’s decision, pledging to “make things right” in London.
Judge Emma Arbuthnot said that changes made by its London subsidiary in light of the ruling were sufficient for Uber to be considered “fit and proper” to operate as she granted a 15-month “probationary” license.
The license is much shorter than the five-year license it was denied in September, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan was clear that the court ruling was no carte blanche for Uber in London.
“I believe everyone must play by the same rules, no matter how big or powerful they are,” he said in a statement.
“Uber has been put on probation – their 15 month license has a clear set of conditions that TfL will thoroughly monitor and enforce.”
The license conditions for Uber London Limited (ULL) include giving TFL notice of what Uber is doing in areas that may be a cause of concern, reporting safety related complaints and having an independent assurance audit report every six months.
ULL must also be notified by its parent firm of any matters that could be relevant to its obligations as an operator.
