Uber set for crunch talks with TfL over London ban ahead of court battle

Uber are set for crunch talks with TfL after the taxi-hailing app was sensationally stripped of its licence to operate in the capital.

TfL said it is “ready, available and happy to meet at any time” after the firm’s global chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said he accepted the company must make changes.

It comes after London mayor Sadiq Khan urged the regulator to “make themselves available” to meet the ride-hailing app’s boss, who apologised for “mistakes we’ve made”.

Mr Khosrowshahi confirmed Uber would challenge TfL’s controversial decision in court but said he wanted to “make things right” at the same time.

Mr Khan, who heads up TfL, said: "I welcome the apology from Dara Khosrowshahi, the Uber CEO. Obviously I am pleased that he has acknowledged the issues that Uber faces in London.

"Even though there is a legal process in place, I have asked TfL to make themselves available to meet with him."

The shock ruling on Friday that Uber was “not fit and proper” to hold a private hire licence dismayed many of the 3.5 million Londoners who have come to rely on cheaper rides.

It also raised questions about the future of its 40,000 drivers on the capital’s roads.

But it was welcomed by critics, including the black cab trade, who criticised the firm’s safety record, raising concerns over the US tech giant’s business methods.

In an open letter in the Standard, Mr Khosrowshahi, who took over at the firm last month, said: “While Uber has revolutionised the way people move in cities around the world, it’s equally true that we’ve got things wrong along the way.

“On behalf of everyone at Uber globally, I apologise for the mistakes we’ve made.”

He added that the firm will appeal the decision, but he said “we do so with the knowledge that we must also change.”

Mr Khosrowshahi’s promise to run Uber “with humility, integrity and passion” from now on marks a dramatic shift in tone from the embattled tech giant.

The loss of its London licence follows months of controversy for the firm globally, including allegations of sexism and harassment.

Its use of secret ‘Greyball’ software to track rival firms, and an exodus of the firm’s top executives also attracted controversy.

Fred Jones, Uber’s Head of UK Cities, said he wanted to sit down with TfL chiefs as he was still “not clear” what the transport body’s concerns were.

Insiders at the firm said they would be contacting TfL on Monday to request a meeting.