Ola loses London licence, but operations to continue

Ride-hailing major Ola will continue its operations in London despite failing to get its licence renewed due to public safety concerns raised by the city's transport regulator.

Ola said that it will appeal against the decision of Transport for London (TfL). Under the rules, a company is allowed to operate while appealing the decision of TfL.

The India-based ride-hailing major which began operating in London in February believes that it has corrected all the issues raised by the regulator and hopes to demonstrate them on appeal.

Ola was told by TfL that the company was found not "fit and proper" to hold a private hire operator's licence, Sky News reported on Sunday.

"At Ola, our core principle is to work closely, collaboratively and transparently with regulators such as TfL," Marc Rozendal, Managing Director, Ola UK, said in a statement shared with IANS.

Rozendal said that Ola has been working with TfL during the review period and has sought to provide assurances and address the issues raised in an "open and transparent" manner.

"Ola will take the opportunity to appeal this decision and in doing so, our riders and drivers can rest assured that we will continue to operate as normal, providing safe and reliable mobility for London," Rozendal said.

Besides, London, Ola operates in several other UK cities including Birmingham and Coventry.

Ola's rival Uber last week won a legal battle over its London licence as a judge ruled in favour of the ride-hailing major, while overturning a ban on the app by the city's transport regulator.

Uber London Limited brought the appeal against the decision of TfL last year not to renew its London private hire vehicle operator's licence over passenger safety concerns.