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Uber is facing a multi-million pound lawsuit being brought on behalf of almost 11,000 London black cab drivers, in the latest challenge to the firm in the UK capital.<\/b><\/p>\n
The claimants allege that in order to obtain a licence to operate in the city, the ride-hailing giant deliberately misled Transport for London (TfL) about how its app worked.<\/p>\n
Litigation management firm RGL Management says the claim is worth at least \u00a3250m, with cabbies potentially getting \u00a325,000 each.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese old claims are completely unfounded,” an Uber spokesperson told the BBC.<\/p>\n
“Uber operates lawfully in London, is fully licensed by TfL, and is proud to serve millions of passengers and drivers across the capital,\u201d they added. <\/p>\n
The group action focuses on Uber’s operations in London between May 2012 and March 2018.<\/p>\n
The claimants also allege that Uber’s intention was to “unlawfully… take business from existing black cab drivers”, according to a statement by RGL.<\/p>\n
“Uber seems to believe it is above the law and cabbies across London have suffered loss of earnings because of it,” said Garry White, who has been a black cab driver for 36 years. “It is time they were held to account.\u201d<\/p>\n
The case, which is being brought for the claimants by law firm Mishcon de Reya, is set to be filed in the High Court on Thursday.<\/p>\n
TfL did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC.<\/p>\n
Over the years, Uber has faced a number of challenges in London, as well other cities around the world.<\/p>\n
TfL refused to renew the company’s licence in 2017, saying it showed “a lack of corporate responsibility” with “public safety and security implications”.<\/p>\n
At the time, Uber’s chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi apologised for past mistakes and said the firm would dispute the decision.<\/p>\n
Uber successfully appealed after renewal of the licence was again denied two years later.<\/p>\n
In 2022, a two-and-a-half-year licence to operate in London was granted. It is due to expire at the end of September.<\/p>\n
Uber has also been the focus of demonstrations organised by London’s black cab drivers.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Uber agreed to pay A$271.8m ($177.7m; \u00a3141.7m) to settle a lawsuit in Australia, according to a law firm for taxi operators and drivers.<\/p>\n
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers filed the class action on behalf of more than 8,000 taxi and hire car owners and drivers.<\/p>\n
The case alleged they lost income when the ride-hailing giant “aggressively” moved into the country.<\/p>\n
“Since 2018, Uber has made significant contributions into various state-level taxi compensation schemes, and with today’s proposed settlement, we put these legacy issues firmly in our past,” Uber said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The company did not disclose the size of the proposed settlement.<\/p>\n
In December 2023, Uber won a lawsuit brought against it by 2,500 taxi drivers in France.<\/p>\n
A Paris commercial court ruled that Uber had not committed acts of unfair competition.<\/p>\n
San Francisco-based Uber, which was founded in 2009, operates in around 70 countries and more than 10,000 cities globally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n