Uber boss apologises for firm’s mistakes

LONDON MAYOR Sadiq Khan has asked Transport for London (TfL) officials to “make themselves available” to meet the boss of Uber, who has apologised for “the mistakes we’ve made”.

The ride-hailing firm was denied a new operating licence by TfL on Friday on the grounds of “public safety and security implications”.

Uber has said it will launch an appeal against the decision.

Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive of the company, accepted that it had “got things wrong”.

Mr Khan said: “I welcome the apology from Dara Khosrowshahi, the Uber CEO. Obviously I am pleased that he has acknowledged the issues that Uber faces in London.

“Even though there is a legal process in place, I have asked TfL to make themselves available to meet with him.”

Mr Khosrowshahi took over at Uber last month after predecessor Travis Kalanick resigned following a series of scandals. In a letter to the

he wrote that Uber will challenge the licence decision “with the knowledge that we must also change”.

He went on: “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.”

Issues raised by TfL include Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offences, how drivers’ medical certificates are obtained, how criminal record checks are carried out, and its use of technology which allegedly helps it to evade law enforcement. More than 740,000 people have signed an online petition launched by Uber urging TfL to reverse its decision, with many concerned they will be unable to afford lifts home.