Uber has vowed that it will continue to operate in London after the ride-hailing company's application for a new operating license was denied over potential safety breaches and drivers manipulating the provider's system.
According to Al Jazeera, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a tweet that the Transport for London (TfL) board's decision to ban the company from operating in the city was "just wrong."
The company also pledged that it will appeal the decision despite TfL's report that around 14,000 rides were completed under drivers who did not actually appear on the ride-hailing service's app.
Reporter Paul Brennan revealed that amid the denial of an operating license in London, Uber cars continue to drive around the city. The TfL is trying to stop these drivers as Uber is given 21 days to appeal the decision.
The news came after the British transport regulator found out that Uber's systems allowed people to submit their pictures in official driver accounts through the app, thus allowing them to pick up passengers around the city.
Dismissed or suspended drivers were still allegedly allowed to create new accounts. Of the 14,000 potentially unsafe trips pinpointed by the TfL, none were insured, which could put passengers and drivers alike in sticky situations should accidents take place on the road.
The TfL went on to reveal that while it acknowledges Uber's improvements to its app and operating systems, these were still "easily manipulated" by fraudulent activities that could put passengers' safety at risk.
According to The Guardian, the regulatory board said on Monday that it is not confident that the issues it found over the past year will no longer take place again in the future.
The TfL is not alone in its hesitant stance against Uber. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that while he understands the general public will not be pleased with the decision, the goal of the transport regulator is to keep passengers safe.
Khan went on to explain that companies wanting to operate ride-hailing businesses in the city should still fully comply with the transport body's regulations and standards so they can be allowed access.
Meanwhile, some passengers expressed disappointment over the decision, while others said they understand how important safety is. One passenger, Rachel Wilkinson, told BBC News that Uber was a "lifeline" to her but she also wants to make she is riding in safe and secure environments.
Kay, another passenger, said she feels sad for "genuine drivers" who may have to give up their day-to-day jobs if Uber is not granted a license extension after the appeal. On the other hand, she said at some points, the ride-hailing app made her uncomfortable and did not work appropriately on her concerns.
