Ride-sharing service Uber won a probationary licence to operate in London on Tuesday. A court said the changes made by the company’s London unit in its policies after losing the licence nine months ago were sufficient for it to be considered “fit and proper” to operate, Reuters reported.
The probationary licence allows the taxi-hailing service to operate in the city for 15 months.
A week before Uber’s permit to operate in London was to expire on September 30, 2017, the city’s transport regulator had refused to renew the licence, saying that the company showed a “lack of corporate responsibility” on “issues that have potential public safety and security implications”.
Uber overhauled its policies and personnel after being accused of failing in its approach to serious criminal offences and background checks on drivers. The new licence is subject to strict conditions and comes with a warning to prove that the company has changed, Reuters reported.
“I believe everyone must play by the same rules, no matter how big or powerful they are,” London mayor Sadiq Khan said. “Uber has been put on probation – their 15-month licence has a clear set of conditions that TfL [Transport for London, the regulator] will thoroughly monitor and enforce.”
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