(Eds: updating with fresh inputs)By Aditi KhannaLondon, Oct 13 (PTI) American taxi-hailing company Ubertoday moved the court against London's transport regulator'sdecision not to renew its licence to operate in the Britishcapital, one of the company's biggest markets.
Ride-sharing app Uber filed an appeal at the WestminsterMagistrates' Court here against the ban imposed by theTransport for London's (TfL) on September 22.
TfL said it took the decision on the grounds of "publicsafety and security implications".
Uber's licence officially expired on September 30 but theservice can remain up and running until the legal process isexhausted, which could mean potentially a year or more.
Around 3.5 million passengers and 40,000 drivers use theUber app in London.
The company said it will continue its discussions withTfL, which had ruled that the company was not "fit and proper"to operate in London on grounds of safety and security.
"While we have today filed our appeal so that Londonerscan continue using our app, we hope to continue havingconstructive discussions with Transport for London. As our newCEO has said, we are determined to make things right," an Uberspokesperson said.
TfL "noted" the appeal but said it would not becommenting before the hearings, which are expected to start inDecember.
A TfL spokesperson said: "We note that Uber has submittedan appeal. No further comment will be made pending the appealhearing."Earlier this month, Uber's new chief executive, DaraKhosrowshahi, met Mike Brown, who runs Transport for London.
Uber described those talks as "constructive", while TfLsaid the talks "centred on what needs to happen to ensure athriving taxi and private hire market in London".
He also apologised for the companyÂ’s past actions andpromised to change.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has since indicated that thetransport authority is willing to re-consider if safetyconcerns are addressed.
An online petition calling for the ban to be reversed hasbeen signed by more than 850,000 people.
In making its decision not to renew Uber's licence, TfLhad cited concerns including Uber's approach to reportingcriminal offences, how it conducted medical and criminalchecks on drivers, and whether software employed to evaderegulation was being used in London.
Uber disputed the complaints, saying it had a specialprocedure for dealing with allegations of criminal offences.
Uber has also been criticised over its treatment ofdrivers who are employed by it, and is awaiting a separatetribunal ruling over the employment status of what it terms"partners".
It has been attempting to overturn a judgment thatdrivers – about 40,000 of whom work for Uber in London – haverights to paid holiday and the minimum wage. PTI AK SMJ NSAAKJAKJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.