Ride-hailing firm Uber receive renewed operator's licence in Birmingham

Ride-hailing firm Uber have received a renewed operator's licence in Birmingham.

Birmingham City Council (BCC) have handed the licence to the minicab firm despite concerns from fellow regulators Transport for London (TfL), who rejected the firm's application on the grounds of safety.

Uber are set to appeal the decision made by the capital’s regulator after TfL identified a pattern of failures by the company, including several breaches which placed passengers and their safety at risk.

Despite Uber addressing some of these issues in London, TfL stated that they ‘do not have confidence that similar issues will not reoccur in the future, which has led it to conclude that the company is not fit and proper at this time’.

Uber have operated in Birmingham for five years and it remains one of Uber’s biggest UK markets. Any delays in relicensing the US company could have potentially sent signals of concern to other cities.