Uber's appeal to TfL will be heard in the spring
Uber's appeal against Transport for London's decision not to renew its licence will be heard in the spring.
Parties for both sides appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today for a case management hearing.
Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot set Tuesday and Wednesday next week for a hearing as to whether union GMB and the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association can become interested parties in the case.
Uber's appeal against TfL's decision not to renew its licence will be heard in the spring, giving the firm at least six more months to operate in the capital
A full appeal hearing is expected to take place in either May or June next year, with a date yet to be set.
In September TfL refused to renew Uber's licence on the grounds of 'public safety and security implications'.
TfL has a number of concerns about Uber, including its approach to reporting serious criminal offences, how drivers' medical certificates are obtained, how criminal record checks are carried out, and its use of technology which allegedly helps it to evade law enforcement officials.
The app enables users to book cars using their smartphones and is available in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK.
Some 3.5 million passengers use the service in London, according to the private hire firm.
Uber's 40,000 drivers, representing around one in three of all private hire vehicles on the British capital's roads, can continue to take passengers until the appeals process is exhausted, which could take years.
The private hire firm employs 40,000 drivers across the capital, where 3.5million people use the service
Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi has apologised to Londoners and met TfL Commissioner Mike Brown in October for what both sides described as constructive talks.
Mr Brown told Reuters in November that 'there are some discussions going on to make sure they are compliant'.
Ahead of today's hearing, an Uber spokesman said: 'We continue having constructive discussions with Transport for London in order to resolve this.
'As our new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said, we are determined to make things right.'