Uber chief says sorry to Londoners and vows to fight TFL for its licence

THE boss of Uber has vowed to "make things right" as the taxi app faces a fight to for its London licence.

The company had its licence to operate in the capital withdrawn by Transport for London last week after it was deemed unfit to run a taxi service after safety fears.

The US firm has 21 days to appeal and its chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi has said it accepts it must change if it is to survive in London.

He wrote: "We will appeal this decision on behalf of millions of Londoners, but we do so with the knowledge that we must also change.

"We won’t be perfect, but we will listen to you; we will look to be long-term partners with the cities we serve; and we will run our business with humility, integrity and passion.

"You have my commitment that we will work with London to make things right and keep this great global city moving safely."

Uber's licence is set to expire on September 30 but it will be allowed to keep operating pending the outcome of an appeal.

Transport sources said Uber's concessions were likely to involve passenger safety and benefits for its drivers, possible limits on working hours to improve road safety and holiday pay.

TfL bosses stunned the US start-up on Friday when it deemed Uber unfit to run a taxi service after safety fears.

They said Uber in London is "not fit and proper" to hold the licence but the tech firm is going to appeal the decision.

The regulator cited failures to report serious criminal offences, conduct sufficient background checks on drivers and other safety issues.

Uber has since urged its London users to fight the decision as 40,000 drivers - the equivalent of the population of Dover in Kent - will lose their jobs.

There are currently 3.5 million passengers in London using the app - just under half the population of the capital.

More than 600,000 people have signed a petition calling on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to make a U-turn on the plans.

The Sunday Times also quoted sources close to London's transport body as saying the move was encouraging and suggested the possibility of talks.

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