London’s mayor wants to cap ride-hailing licenses too

The mayor of London is looking to put a cap on the number of ride-hailing drivers in the city, the Guardian reports, and is asking the government to grant him the powers to impose such limits. The move comes just as New York City institutes a one-year moratorium on licensing new ride-hailing drivers. Mayor Sadiq Khan reportedly sent a letter to Chris Grayling, the UK's transport secretary, saying that he was "determined to create a vibrant taxi and private hire market in the capital, with space for all providers to flourish." However, he noted that the massive inc rease in private hire drivers in the city was "causing increased congestion, polluting our air and leaving many drivers struggling to make enough money to support themselves and their families."

This isn't the first time London has taken issue with ride-hailing services. Last year, the city pulled Uber's private hire license because its operations weren't "fit and proper" and didn't meet the city's standards. Uber appealed the decision and was granted a 15-month license in June. During that time, the company will be required to undergo audits, report major safety complaints, disclose any data breaches and train its drivers on safety. After the limited license was granted, Khan compared it to "probation" and noted that it would allow the city to see if Uber has really changed its ways.

Last year, amid talks of capping private hire vehicle licenses, Khan made it clear that he was supportive of the idea. In a letter to Grayling, he said he had been "calling publicly for it at every possible opportunity."

Source: The Guardian



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