City Uber service not affected by London ban
ONLINE taxi service Uber will continue to operate in Birmingham despite the firm having its licence to operate in London revoked over public safety concerns.
Transport for London (TfL) described the minicab firm as “not fit and proper” to operate in the capital due to public safety concerns and stripped its licence.
It said the company had failed to report serious criminal offences and was unhappy with the background checks it carries out on drivers. The Metropolitan Police had accused the firm of putting its reputation above public safety. Uber has said it will appeal the decision.
But Birmingham’s licensing chiefs said they had no such concerns over the company’s activity in the city and that it could continue to operate on the streets of Birmingham until its current licence expires on February 5, 2018.
They pointed out that Uber operated a franchise business model and therefore the Birmingham operation was different to that in London.
A Birmingham City Council spokeswoman said: “Uber began operating in Birmingham on February 12, 2015 and its private hire operator licence is valid until February 5, 2018.
“Uber’s operation in London is entirely separate from its businesses elsewhere in the UK – including Birmingham – and as such TfL’s decision not to renew Uber licence in London does not automatically impact on those.
“The issues that have caused TfL not to renew Uber’s licence in London have not arisen in Birmingham.”
The confirmation will come as good news to the thousands of Brummies who use the taxi app, but may not be welcomed by the firm’s critics.
Other cab companies and trade unions have challenged Uber calling its employment policies “exploitative” and accusing it of cutting corners.