The move comes as the ride-hailing app’s attempt to boost customers’ safety and regain London Licence
Uber has said it will set up a 24 hour hotline to allow UK costumers to report incidents involving the ride-hailing app. The announcement comes a day after London’s transport authorities pledged for tighter controls over Private Hire firms.
The company has also announced it will change the current approach regarding reporting serious incidents. The app will now enable users to report these incident directly to police.
The Met Police and Tfl had raised concerns over allegations of incidents happening on Uber journeys, including sexual assaults, which were not being properly investigated by the Silicon Valley company.
Uber will now pass information about any serious incident reported by either passengers or drivers directly to the police.
The company said it was changing its policy after assessing feedback. All previous serious complaints will be reviewed to ensure there are no outstanding issues. Customers are also expected to have more access to driver information from next month, including private hire licence number, booking confirmation and electronic receipt.
The Met Police refused to comment on Uber’s announcement, merely saying that it would encourage everyone with information about a crime to report it.
TFL argued Uber was “not fit and proper” to hold a licence in London last September. Transport for London concerns include Uber’s approach to carrying out checks on drivers and reporting criminal offences. The company is currently appealing against the decision. They are due to meet in court for the licence appeal hearing in June.