AN entrepreneur who set up an Uber-style taxi app for Worcester says companies using the latest technology must play by the rules.

Uber faces being 'banned from London' when its licence expires on September 30 after concerns were raised by Transport for London and mayor Sadiq Khan about the way it operated.

Although Ausman Shaukat, director of Worcester's Drive Taxi App Limited, uses similar technology to Uber he says all firms must comply with the licensing laws and no amount of signatures on a petition should carry any weight in such decisions.

So far an online petition to reverse the decision to 'ban Uber from London' and protect the livelihood of 40,000 drivers has attracted more than 756,000 signatures.

Transport for London decided not to renew Uber's licence, citing failures to report serious criminal offences, conduct sufficient background checks on drivers and other safety issues.

Mr Shaukat said: "From what I have read it is very much an issue of an operator (singular, ‘Uber London’ in this case) allegedly not complying with licensing laws in London, and therefore not having their private hire operator’s licence renewed."

He described this as 'a specific case' in relation to one operator and said it would not have much bearing on other operators who are abiding by licensing laws but have embraced the latest technology to provide a more efficient service to customers.

He added: "What Uber has achieved in such a relatively short time-frame is to be commended, almost single handily changing an entire industry globally within a matter of years is frankly awe inspiring in my eyes.

"I can however also see the point of view of ‘traditional’ taxi and private hire operators and drivers perhaps feeling railroaded and/or overwhelmed by a seemingly monopolistic multi-national giant, whose business practises have been often publicly criticised on many different continents.

"Public support for Uber is to be expected, arguably providing a more efficient service, with extra features at a competitive price (At times undercutting traditional tariffs), however from my understanding licensing laws have been breached and until rectified no amount of signatures should have any bearing."

He said the Drive Taxi App Ltd app continues to go 'from strength to strength' in Worcester.

He added: "Our weekly bookings increase week on week, and we have taken on more drivers and office staff to accommodate.

"Our one year anniversary is in December, and we ask your readers to keep an eye on www.drivetaxiapp.com and our social media for special promotions and discounts to celebrate our first year."

Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi accepted that the company has "got things wrong".

In a letter to the London Evening Standard, he wrote that although Uber will launch an appeal against the decision by Transport for London (TfL) not to renew its licence, it will do so "with the knowledge that we must also change".