Uber rival Ola banned by London authorities over risk to public safety

London’s public transport authority has banned Uber rival Ola from operating in the capital because it failed to properly ensure passenger safety. 

The India-owned app company only launched into the crowded London taxi market this February, competing against black cabs, chains like Addison Lee and app-driven rivals including Bolt and Kapten.

Transport for London (TfL) said in a statement that it refused to grant Ola a new London private hire vehicle operator’s licence as it “cannot find it fit and proper to hold one after discovering a number of failures that could have risked public safety”.

Last week, Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE:UBER) was granted a new London licence following a similar ban due to safety concerns.

In a ruling on Monday, a Westminster magistrate said despite the company’s “historical failings”, Uber was now a “fit and proper operator” to hold a licence in the capital, though the length of its licence could still be up for dispute.

Story by ProactiveInvestors