Uber told to play fair in Victoria or risk axe

UBER is being warned to abide by the rules or risk being axed in Victoria after the service was refused a licence renewal in London.

UBER is being warned to abide by the rules or risk being axed in Victoria after the service was refused a licence renewal in London.

The ride-sharing service will be stripped of its right to operate there after Transport for London ruled it had a “ lack of corporate responsibility” and was not “fit and proper”.

The call came following several issues, including not reporting sexual assaults.

The company will continue to operate in London while it appeals against the decision.

The shock announcement has raised concerns over Uber’s Victorian operations.

WANT TO BECOME AN UBER DRIVER? IT’S NOT AS EASY AS YOU THINK

Uber is being warned to abide by the rules or risk being axed in Victoria after the service was refused a licence renewal in London. Picture: AP

The company has tens of thousands of drivers operating statewide after the Andrews Government passed the first round of legislation to pave the way for ride sharing in August.

The new law includes a $1 levy on every trip to compensate taxi owners whose licences — some bought for $400,000 each — had plummeted.

Under Victorian rules all ride-sharing services must abide by strict safety and background checks.

Sacha Fenton, a spokeswoman for the Minister of Public Transport Jacinta Allan, said any ride share service not obeying rules will be axed.

“Under our reforms any operator that consistently breaks Victorian laws will lose their licence to operate,” she said.

On Friday night former Premier Jeff Kennett tweeted his ongoing concerns about the move to overhaul the industry saying the Victorian Government, “destroys Vic taxi industry and families in support of Uber and ride sharing.”

Uber Australia spokesman, Mike Scott: “We will continue to work closely with all local governments and regulators on ensuring that millions of Australians are able to access safe, reliable and affordable transport in each of the cities in which we operate.

“Australian governments have led the way globally in embracing ridesharing as a positive for both consumer choice and local economic opportunity.”

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