Bollocks To Uber, Which Is Now Banned In London

A series of cock-ups has rideshare Uber arse-deep in trouble on the other side of the pond. In the wake of a Guardian report on sexual assaults committed by Uber drivers, the regulatory transportation authority Transport for London (TfL) has rejected Uber’s license to operate in London according to TechCrunch. (Uber has previously received such a license, but it expires September 30). Using adorably British terminology, TfL declared that Uber “is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence.”

“TfL’s regulation of London’s taxi and private hire trades is designed to ensure passenger safety,” the regulatory body said in a statement. “TfL considers that Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications.”

Business Insider reports that Uber was not aware of the decision “until one minute before the regulator tweeted its statement out publicly.”

In this particular rejection for a license renewal, Uber was dinged on the rigorousness of their background checks and their approach to reporting criminal offenses among drivers and those applying to be drivers. UK authorities also suspect Uber has been using their shady Greyball scheme in England to evade regulators.

This is not a death blow to Uber’s operation in London. The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 gives Uber 21 days to appeal the decision, and they’re still allowed to operate during the appeal. But unsurprisingly, the company is circulating an online petition that creates the impression that Uber is all about the “drivers’ livelihoods.”

London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted his support of the Uber ban, noting that “any operator of private hire services in London needs to play by the rules.”

According to CNet, “Uber's rivals in London celebrated the news with discounted fares for customers.”

Related: Kalanick Reportedly Cries As He Passes Torch To New Uber CEO