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Uber Is Back in London After a Protracted Legal Kerfuffle

June 26, 2018
•
3 min read
Uber driver
Uber Is Back in London After a Protracted Legal Kerfuffle
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After a long legal battle, Uber is back in business in London.

Last September, Transport for London (TfL), the local government body responsible for Greater London's transportation network, refused to renew the ride-hailing company's license to operate, on the grounds that Uber is not a "fit and proper" operator. After months of legal back-and-forth, followed by two days of hearings in the Westminster magistrates court, Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot overturned the TfL ban, stating that Uber is now considered "fit and proper," and granting Uber a 15-month probationary license with a "clear set of conditions that TfL will thoroughly monitor and enforce." Arbuthnot also required Uber to pay TfL's legal costs, around $560,000.

Uber, which originally requested a five-year license from TfL, began the two-day hearings procedure by stating that many of TfL's prior concerns were accurate, saying that the company has made significant changes to the business model since September 2017 that include reporting criminal activity directly with London law enforcement instead of lodging complaints with TfL, which often resulted in delays that the department wasn't equipped to address. Another change includes the restriction that drivers can only use the Uber app in regions where they hold a private hire license, and with far stricter regulations around their hours worked. Under the new probationary license terms, Uber drivers must take a six-hour consecutive break after every 10 hours of driving.

"We will continue to work with TfL to address their concerns and earn their trust, while providing the best possible service for our customers," said Tom Elvidge, Uber's UK general manager.

Helen Chapman, TfL's licensing, regulation and charging director, said that the relationship between Uber and TfL had been "very difficult" over the past half-decade. "We have had five years of a very difficult relationship where Uber has felt they haven't required regulation and being operated in the same way as everybody else we regulate," Chapman said, citing concerns over Uber's approach to reporting crime, as well as how background checks are conducted on drivers – safety issues that have plagued the rideshare company worldwide. But Chapman allowed that Uber's changes "could, if applied correctly, enhance public safety."

Uber stated that the company is "determined to make things right." Further changes for Uber in London include clear documentation showing passengers that their drivers are TfL-licensed.

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Londoners seemed to react favorably to the compromise. Culture Secretary Matt Hancock most likely spoke on behalf of the people when he tweeted: "Glad to see sense has prevailed on Uber and millions of Londoners can continue to use their great service."

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Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.