York City Council has become the third transport authority in four months to refuse to licence Uber.
At a meeting this week the council's Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee decided not to renew the firm’s licence to operate in the city for a five-year period.
Micklegate in York
The refusal follows a decision by Sheffield City Council earlier this month to suspend Uber’s licence to operate in the city and Transport for London’s decision in September not to renew the firm’s licence.
According to the BBC, taxi drivers had complained of the city being ‘overwhelmed’ with drivers using the ride-hailing app. The firm admitted last month that it had concealed a huge data breach affecting customers and drivers all over the world, including the UK.
A report to the committee stated that the Council had a statutory duty to grant the licence unless it considered that the firm ‘is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence’.
A spokesperson for York Council said: ‘The application by Uber Britannia Ltd to renew its private hire operator’s licence in York has been considered by City of York Council’s Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee.
‘Applying the legislation, the committee has decided to refuse the application having concerns about a data breach currently under investigation and the number of complaints received.’
The council first granted Uber a licence 12-month licence in December 2015, which it renewed for a further year.
The firm’s current licence expires on Christmas Eve, although it can appeal.
Transport Network has approached Uber for comment.
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