After a year of scandal and problems, Uber is trying to improve its image and the safety of its service with a number of new measure to reassure customers.

The company has said it will now pro-actively work with Police when incidents are reported and gather more background information on the 50,000 drivers currently working for the company in the UK. Uber also plans to introduce a 24-hour customer support hotline to deal with queries and complaints.

The company says these policy changes have already been implemented in London, where the company continues to fight to regain its operators license. Uber lost its license in September 2017 when Transport for London said the company was not ‘a fit and proper operator’, with the organisation highlighting concerns over the company’s failings in corporate responsibility.

2017 was a year of problems for Uber. In addition to the license ruling in London, the company:

• lost its founder and CEO after numerous allegations of sexual harassment
• lost an appeal which granted drivers worker’s rights
• lost 57 million user’s details to hackers
• was found to have bribed the hackers to delete the data
• covered up the hack for two months
• were alleged to have clandestinely spied on business rivals and journalists
• was found to be a transport, not a digital company, subject to all of the regulations of that industry

Sky News reports that Uber’s UK general manager Tom Elvidge said: “With millions of trips across the UK booked through our app each week, the safety of riders and drivers using Uber is a top priority. Over the last few years we’ve led the way with pioneering technology which enhances safety like GPS tracking of every trip and our two-way rating system.

“But we recognise we can use our technology to go even further in setting a higher standard for private hire and other transport options. After listening to feedback from drivers, riders, local regulators and the police we’re introducing a number of new features and changes to enhance driver and passenger safety.”