Uber allowed to operate in London again — for now

LONDON — A London court gave ride-hailing firm Uber a shorter-than-usual license to keep operating in the capital, accepting Tuesday the firm’s claim that it is now a more responsible corporate citizen.

Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot granted an operating license lasting 15 months, versus the five-year permit Uber had had been seeking. That means the company will remain under scrutiny and serve a probation period of sorts in meeting the terms of regulators at Transport for London.

“The rapid and very recent changes undergone by (Uber) lead me to conclude that a shorter period will enable TFL to test out the new arrangements,” the judge wrote in her ruling.

London transport officials had revoked Uber’s license in September. They had objected, among other things, to the company’s failure to report criminal offenses and its use of technology to allegedly evade law enforcement officials.

In this week’s appeal, the firm admitted it had been wrong, and it apologized.

Abruthnot said Uber would be monitored by transport authorities, and she ordered Uber to pay $562,000 in court costs.

The company insists it is changing under new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who tried to shift the company from its combative stance with municipal officials soon after London pulled its license.