A spokesperson for Uber made a brief statement late yesterday (October 3) after CEO Dara Khosrowshahi met with Transport for London boss Mike Brown, saying the discussion was “constructive”.
The taxi-hailing app was shocked into action when TfL announced it would not renew the company’s private hire licence to operate within the city. Khosrowshahi made a statement soon after saying he understood the company had made “mistakes” and wanted to meet with TfL to discuss how it could improve its policies to gain back its licence.
TfL agreed to meet with Khosrowshahi after London Mayor Sadiq Khan requested it remain available. Uber’s spokesperson said the talks went well and the company hoped it would lead to more discussions. The firm has yet to appeal the decision, but has indicated it will do so before the deadline of October 13.
Meanwhile, a TfL spokesperson commented that talks with Uber are “centred on what needs to happen to ensure a thriving taxi and private hire market in London where everyone operates to the same high standards.”
The talks happened as Uber faces the departure of its London boss and pressure in the US over former CEO Travis Kalanick’s influence over the company after he appointed two new board members with little notice. The app also announced yesterday that it will go ahead with an investment deal from Japan’s Softbank Group.