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The Ola app has been denied a new operating license in London due to security concerns
Transport for London said it could not find Ola « fit and suitable » to hold a new private rental vehicle driver’s license after discovering a number of shortcomings that could have endangered public safety
Ola was launched in London in February as another Uber rival and claimed it would « focus on drivers, safety and a collaborative approach »
The India-based company recently informed TfL of a number of shortcomings that had potential consequences for public safety
These included historic licensing violations that led unauthorized drivers and vehicles to make more than 1,000 passenger trips on Ola’s behalf, and not bringing these violations to TfL’s attention from their first identification
Helen Chapman, Director of Licensing, Regulation and Pricing at TfL, said: « Our duty as a regulator is to ensure the safety of passengers
« Through our investigations, we discovered that flaws in Ola’s operating model led to the use of unlicensed drivers and vehicles in over 1,000 passenger trips, which may have resulted in danger passenger safety
« If they appeal, Ola can continue to operate and drivers can continue to make reservations on Ola’s behalf
TfL said applicants have the right to appeal a decision not to grant a license to a lower court within 21 days, and Ola can continue to operate pending the outcome of any process. ‘call
In response to the decision, Marc Rozendal, Ola’s Managing Director for the UK, said: “At Ola our core principle is to work closely, collaboratively and transparently with regulators such as than TfL
« We have worked with TfL during the reporting period and sought to provide assurances and resolve the issues raised in an open and transparent manner
« Ola will take the opportunity to appeal this decision and by doing so, our drivers and chauffeurs can be assured that we will continue to operate normally, providing safe and reliable mobility in London »
Ola was founded in 2011 and started its UK business in South Wales in August 2018 It has since expanded to places such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol and Reading
The company was granted a 15-month license to operate in London on July 4 last year, which expired on October 3
In February, the company announced that it had 20,000 drivers registered on its platform in the capital
TfL’s refusal to grant Ola a new license comes after Uber was granted an 18-month license last week to operate in London after a judge ruled it was now a healthy company « despite historical failures »
Uber was denied a license by TfL in November 2019, citing violations that compromised passenger safety and transparency concerns
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News from around the world – GB – Uber rival Ola judged « not fit and appropriate » to hold a license in London
