Uber rival Taxify suspends operation less than a week after launch

The controversial Uber competitor, Taxify, which launched in London just this week, has temporarily stopped accepting bookings after Transport for London (TfL) decided it is not a licensed operator.

The startup has been accused of swaying rules for private hire operators in London after being accused of not having a licence, despite the startup claiming to operate under City Drive Services, which exists in the capital.

Speaking to City A.M., Wes Streeting, a labour MP, said: “They are openly advertising but don’t appear to have a licence to operate.”

TfL has placed the business under ‘urgent’ investigation, and has said that it is not a licensed private hire operator and therefore can’t accept bookings in London.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added: “Following an investigation, it was right that TfL took immediate action to instruct Taxify to cease operating.

“As Mayor, I will continue to do everything I can to drive up standards across the taxi and private hire market, [ensuring] Londoners can get safely around our city.”

The company is backed by Chinese giant Didi Chuxing and has said its app has had 30,000 downloads since launching on Monday.

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