Uber boss to meet London’s transport chief

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In an attempt to win back licensing to work in London, Uber’s chief executive will be in the capital next week to meet with the transport commissioner.

Uber’s licence will expire on Saturday and chief executive will meet on Tuesday with Transport for London boss, Mike Brown.

The car-hailing app has said they will do everything they can within a 21-day deadline to appeal TfL’s decision.

The decision to revoke Uber’s license was a controversial one and over 800,000 people have signed an online petition urging an extension.

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Sadiq Khan backed the move, saying all companies had to play by the rules.

“I want companies that abide by the rules, I want companies that innovate, harbour new technologies, I want disruptive technology coming to London but you’ve got to play by the rule,” he said.

Following an open letter to the Mayor of London, Khan encouraged TfL bosses to speak to chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi.

“While Uber has revolutionised the way people move in cities around the world, it’s equally true that we’ve got things wrong along the way. On behalf of everyone at Uber globally, I apologise for the mistakes we’ve made,” wrote Khosrowshahi.

A spokesperson from Uber said: “We will appeal [against] the decision on behalf of millions of Londoners, but we do so with the knowledge that we must also change.”

“Our new CEO is looking forward to meeting with the commissioner next week. As he said on Monday, we want to work with London to make things right.”

On Thursday, Theresa May said Sadiq Khan’s decision not to renew Uber’s London licence was disproportionate.

The company employs an estimated 40,000 drivers and serves up to 3.5 million customers in London.