Half a million people have signed an online petition in under 24 hours backing Uber’s bid to stay on roads of London, showing the company is turning to its tried-and-tested tactic of asking customers for help when it locks horns with regulators.<br /><br />The British capital’s transport regulator, Transport for London (TfL) stunned the powerful start-up on Friday when it deemed Uber unfit to run a taxi service for safety reasons and stripped it of its license from next week, although it can continue to operate while it appeals.<br /><br />TfL cited Uber’s failure to report serious criminal offices, conduct sufficient background checks on drivers and other safety issues, threatening the firm’s presence in one of the world’s wealthiest cities.<br /><br />Uber immediately emailed users in London and urged them to sign the petition that said the city authorities had “caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice.”<br /><br />‘Vested Interests’<br /><br />One MP has said he believes TfL’s decision was a result of “vested interests.” Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday (September 23), Ed Vaizey, the Conservative MP for Wantage, said: “We know black cabs have been lobbying vigorously to have Uber shut down… I think this decision is a result of vested interests.”<br /><br />Uber now faces a showdown with London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan, who this month said he wouldn’t let his teenage daughters use cabs like Uber on their own over fears for their safety.<br /><br />Khan, who is also a chairman of TfL, said: “I have every sympathy with Uber drivers and customers affected by this decision but their anger really should be directed at Uber.<br /><br />“They have let down their drivers and customers by failing, in the view of TfL, to act as a fit and proper operator.<br /><br />“I suspect it will take some time before this situation with Uber fully plays out. In the meantime, I will continue my work to help support innovative businesses in London and to create a vibrant and safe taxi and private hire market.”<br /><br />TfL’s decision is the first major challenge for new Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi, who took over from co-founder and ex-CEO Travis Kalanick. He was forced out after internal and external investigations into sexual harassment complaints, the thwarting of government inquiries and potential bribery.<br />I’m glad it’s all over for Uber in London – and I work for them | anonymous https://t.co/GSKJtRsffZ— Guardian Tech (@guardiantech) September 23, 2017<br /><br /><br />If Uber goes down I'm setting up Boober an all female run company with safe taxis, all drivers DBS checked and driving people carriers.— Flossie Golightly (FlossGolightly) September 22, 2017<br /><br /><br />I have had many requests for the sources of the London Taxi/Private Hire Sexual Assault figures so I have fully annotated them. #Uber pic.twitter.com/1s1CYCHY7G— Peter Thompson (@P_G_Thompson) September 23, 2017<br /><br /><br />TfL has informed Uber that it will not be issued with a private hire operator licence pic.twitter.com/1srrXNC5XR— Transport for London (@TfL) September 23, 2017<br />
