TfL describes reports of closer ties with Uber as ‘nonsense’

1466 Transport for London (TfL) has described claims that it is deepening its relationship with 8336 Uber as ‘nonsense’.
 
Media reports suggested that London’s transit authority might be going to offer customers access to public transport services via the ride-hailing firm's app.

The <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000link-external Financial Timesfalsehttps://www.ft.com/content/0f1ee492-fc92-11e8-ac00-57a2a826423efalsefalse%> reported that Uber is attempting to add TfL's data about tube and bus timetables into the app.
 
But a spokesperson from TfL told ITS International that the only thing it is putting out is open data – and does not know if Uber is using it.
 
“Just having open data is not a ‘deepening’ of a relationship as it’s open to everyone,” the spokesperson added.

Last year, TfL rejected Uber's <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000link-external applicationfalsehttp://www.itsinternational.com/categories/enforcement/news/transport-for-london-rejects-uber-operation-license/falsefalse%> for a new private hire operator licence. In June, the ride-hailing company was granted a 15-month <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000link-external licence falsehttp://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/uber-granted-15-month-trial-to-operate-in-london/falsefalse%>to operate following a decision by Westminster Magistrates Court.