London officials want to drive Uber out of the city following allegations that it failed to disclose sexual assault incidents.
A cross-party group of 10 Members of Parliament (MPs) is pressuring Transport for London (TfL), the governing body responsible for transportation in Greater London, to let Uber’s operating license expire at the end of September.
I've led a cross party call for Uber to have their licence revoked by @TfL. Read more here: https://t.co/CGuKVufdrw pic.twitter.com/NmBfeB2W8D
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) September 13, 2017
Labour MP Wes Streeting wrote a powerful letter outlining the reasons Uber, who he claims is an “unfit and improper operator,” should be banned from the city. It was signed by Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat MPs.
“Police figures show that an allegation of rape or sexual assault is made against Uber drivers every 11 days and the Metropolitan Police have expressed concern that Uber is ‘allowing situations to happen that clearly affect the safety and security of the public’—not least by failing to report all alleged offenses to Police so that they can be properly investigated,” Streeting wrote.
The letter then addresses the treatment of Uber drivers, who it claims get paid as little as 2 pounds per hour. “It is deeply regrettable that Uber had to be dragged through the courts by the GMB trade union to force the company to accept its obligations as an employer.”
Uber was accused of failing to inform authorities of a sexual assault committed by one of its drivers in January. The ride-hailing giant reportedly spoke with the driver but did nothing more. The driver then attacked another female four months later. London metro police accused Uber of failing to report at least six sexual attacks and an assault.
Streeting’s letter ends by listing cities in other countries who have placed a ban on Uber, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Banning Uber in London would certainly cause public backlash as the service provides millions with a less expensive and more flexible alternative to the city’s black cabs. As Business Insider points out, black cab drivers, who are required to take an exam before operating, accuse Uber of acting illegally.
We’ve reached out to Uber and will update this article if the company responds.
H/T Metro