Uber loses court bid to block English test for drivers
UBER Technologies lost a ruling over London transport rules that require language tests for drivers, which could keep 40,000 people from joining the industry over the next three years.
Judge John Mitting ruled in favour of Transport for London on Friday, saying that it is reasonable for “drivers to demonstrate a level of competence in written and spoken English.”
Uber, however, won on other TfL rules, with the judge striking down provisions on round-the-clock call centres and driver insurance.
San Francisco-based Uber has fought with regulators around the globe over the technology that traditional taxi companies say threatens their existence.
In London, Uber won a suit against TfL over the use of its app as a taxi metre before losing a case brought by drivers seeking employment rights including the minimum wage and holiday pay.
Uber said that while it had won on a majority of points, it would still appeal the portion of the ruling on language tests.
The ruling caps a tumultuous few weeks for the ride hailing app, after its Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick was filmed arguing with a driver over pay, and Uber was forced to open an investigation into sexual harassment and discrimination claims by a former employee. It was criticised for nominating company insiders to conduct the probe. — WP-Bloomberg