A photo illustration shows the Uber app on a mobile telephone, as it is held up for a posed photograph, with London Taxis in the background, in London, Britain November 10, 2017. REUTERS/Simon Dawson
…drops opposition to London language test
Uber said on Monday it would suspend operations in Morocco, two years after they began, as it tries to bring its business into line with local laws.
Uber has already halted services in Norway and Finland as it waits for the regulatory framework to change in those countries, a sign of the less pugnacious approach the company is taking toward local authorities.
The U.S. ride-hailing company has faced bans, restrictions and protests around the world as it disrupts conventional taxi services. But its new chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, has struck a more conciliatory tone after a string of controversies that emerged under the former CEO, Travis Kalanick.
“Since we launched in Morocco over two years ago, there has been a lack of clarity about new platforms like Uber and how they fit into the existing transport model,” Uber said in a statement.
The company has engaged with policymakers to find a solution but “despite consistent dialogue … we have yet to see any constructive progress on the regulations and can safely say we have exhausted all measures.”
Uber will halt its services in Casablanca on Friday. It said services would resume as soon as new rules were in place.
Morocco only recognizes conventional taxis and has no provisions for private hire vehicles.
Uber has had to suspend its service using non-professional drivers in several European cities like Paris and Brussels, but it still operates a licensed service there.
Khosrowshahi, who took over at Uber last year, said in October that “regulating services like Uber is totally appropriate”.
Uber has 19,000 regular riders in Morocco and 300 drivers, who will be provided with financial support over the next two weeks.
“We are committed to supporting the hundreds of drivers that have benefited from the economic opportunities of using the Uber app. We will be working closely with them through this difficult transition,” Uber said.
London legal battle
In London, Uber is dropping a legal appeal against the introduction of more stringent English language tests for drivers in London after the city’s transport regulator said it would water down its stringent proposals.
Uber took legal action in 2016 against Transport for London (TfL) after it said drivers should have to prove their ability to communicate in English, including to a standard of reading and writing which Uber said was too high and could cost it thousands of drivers.
In March last year, it lost that legal battle but had been granted the right to appeal the plans.
TfL said on Monday it would now work to introduce a new test that is more relevant to the role of a private hire driver and would allow applicants to “demonstrate the appropriate level of English at the same level as the existing test.”
Uber, which was stripped of its license to operate in London over safety concerns, welcomed the move.
“We support raising standards and believe that a new test focused on situations drivers may encounter makes a lot more sense,” said a spokesman.
“This means we will no longer pursue our legal appeal,” he added.
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Uber said last week it would introduce new safety features, including 24-hour telephone support for riders and drivers, in concessions to TfL.
The substance of Uber’s appeal against its London license loss is due to be heard over five days from June 25 with a preliminary hearing scheduled to take place before then in April to discuss further administrative matters.
- Reuters
