“I am over the moon,” David English, 47, told TIME. “We’re getting our roads back.”
Transport for London (TfL) announced Friday it would not renew the taxi app’s license to carry passengers in the U.K. capital, accusing it of demonstrating “a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications.” Although Uber will be able to continue taking rides while it appeals the ruling, it could potentially be barred from the capital.
That spells good news for the drivers of London’s iconic black cabs. When the taxi app first arrived in London it was seen as a friendly competitor, according to driver Joe Payne, 47. But the lack of training and security checks was an immediate concern, he told TIME from his vehicle in central London. “We have studied for three years, we have bought a black taxi cab for £40,000. Then Uber come in and do what they want. We felt undermined and betrayed.”
“We’re not perfect but we’re definitely safer. We have all the training and if there’s a problem you can see our license number inside the cab.”
In its decision, the capital’s transportation authority Transport for London (TfL) cited the company’s “approach and conduct” on issues such as reporting criminal offenses and disclosure requirements. Last month an Uber driver was caught with a large sword outside Buckingham Palace and a report from London’s Metropolitan Police said that Uber had failed to report one of its drivers for sexual assault, leading to him going on to attack another person.