More than half a million people have signed a petition calling for Transport for London to reverse its decision to strip Uber of its licence to operate in the capital, making it the fastest growing petition in the UK this year.
The campaign Save Your Uber in London was set up by the ride-sharing firm on the Change.org website after it was announced on Friday that it would not have its licence renewed when it expires on 30 September.
The petition had gained more than 500,000 signatures by Saturday afternoon as the company urged users to sign.
Kajal Odedra, the UK director at Change.org, said: “That is the fastest growing petition we’ve seen in the UK this year. The speed with which this grew shows how powerful online campaigning can be.”
Uber, which has 40,000 drivers in London and claims that 3.5 million people use the service, plans to appeal against the decision by TfL, which said the US-based company’s approach and conduct was “not fit and proper” to hold a private vehicle hire licence.
The decision was backed by the capital’s black-cab drivers and the mayor, Sadiq Khan, who said anger from Uber customers and drivers should be directed at the company.
“I know that Uber has become a popular service for many Londoners – but it would be wrong for TfL to license Uber if there was any way this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety or security,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
“As mayor of London I welcome innovative new companies that help Londoners by providing a better and more affordable service – but providing an innovative service is not an excuse for not following the rules.
“I have every sympathy with Uber drivers and customers affected by this decision but their anger really should be directed at Uber. They have let down their drivers and customers by failing, in the view of TfL, to act as a fit and proper operator.” -The Guardian