Uber CEO Apologizes After London Ban

But for Uber to win over regulators, it will likely have to make some pretty substantial concessions.

Today, Uber’s new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, looked to begin that process.

A petition launched against Friday’s ruling has already gained more than 700,000 signatures showing just how popular the app is.

Then, Khosrowshahi took to Twitter. Three unnamed members of the Greater London Authority were also present, according to TfL documents. “Australian governments have led the way globally in embracing ridesharing as a positive for both consumer choice and local economic opportunity”, a spokesperson for the company told me.

The company hit back saying the decision would “show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies”.

Make no mistake, Uber will use every legal avenue to fight this ban. 40,000 people have chosen to become Uber drivers.

Uber Australia certainly don’t believe they are at any risk. He called the strategy “principled confrontation”.

“You’re talking about an 800-pound gorilla”, says Beale. Some regulators have backed down, others have run the company out of town. “They need to be regulated heavily because they’re out of control”.

Khosrowshahi took over as CEO from founder Travis Kalanick last month, and he may have to do a lot of apologizing in the coming months.

Khosrowshahi added in the letter: “We won’t be flawless, 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”.

TfL considers that Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues [that] have potential public safety and security implications.

On Friday, London Transport Authority (TfL) made a decision to withdraw giant’s license from private chauffeur-driven cars in British capital. The company’s apology has sparked much debate online, with many commentators remaining critical of Uber.

Meanwhile, Uber London started a petition on Change.org to ask TfL to reverse its decision.

He referred to a case where an Uber driver was allowed to continue working despite an allegation of sexual assault, leading to another more serious attack on a woman in his vehicle. The authority also regrets the use of a software allowing the drivers to avoid being identified in areas where they do not have the right to operate and provide medical certificates not reliable.

If Lyft enters the London market Uber would face its first well-funded competitor in Europe when it is trying to overturn a decision by TfL not to renew its licence.

So what happened to Uber in London? What ends up happening in London is also important because it could potentially encourage other cities to react similarly.