'We got things wrong,' tech company apologises following London ban

Uber’s Chief Executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, has tendered an unreserved apology to the Transport for London authorities and to every one they may have hurt by their actions or inactions.

Uber’s over the past week had its licence renewal denied  by the TfL regulators owing to improper conduct among other noted offences.

The ride-sharing company‘s licence is set to expire by month end September 30, and have been afforded a period of 21 days (three weeks) to appeal the case in a court of jurisdiction.

Khosrowshahi wrote in an open letter “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."

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

Another Uber exec speaking with the BBC says he doesn’t understand the concerns of the TfL regulators, and wants to sit down and have a talk with them.

“Sitting down with TfL representatives as soon as possible would be the most helpful thing to really understand their concerns, to work out what they are. It is just not clear to us what those concerns are.”

They admitted to taking unseriously a certain Uber driver who remain with the company after he was flagged offensive by a passenger.

“We hold our hands up, we made a mistake. In that incident we just didn’t realise when that passenger wrote in how serious it was... We apologise to everyone involved.”

On reporting criminal offences to the TfL instead of the police, Jones defended Uber’s usual practice . “As soon as we receive a serious complaint or we are alerted of it, we restrict the access to the app and immediately investigate and that would involve notifying TfL.”

He added that Uber had set up a working group to collaborate with the police. “This is absolutely something we will work on with the police. This is absolutely an area where we want to go further.”

Also in the conversation was the mayor of London who said Uber had brought “unfair pressure” on TfL, employing an “army” of PR experts and lawyers.

Sadiq Khan said Uber had made “aggressive” threats about taking TfL to court, while at the same time briefing journalists that the company wanted to make a deal.

“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,” the Mayor said.

Khan stressed the decision over Uber’s licence had been taken by experts at TfL and should not be subject to political interference, when asked whether he would have talks with the company.

CREDITS: PULSE.NG