Transport for London’s decision not to renew Uber’s private hire licence has unsurprisingly produced a wealth of opinions across the capital.

Drivers for the firm, which allows users of its smartphone app to hail a ride anywhere, anytime at budget rates, could be out of a job when the company’s current licence expires on September 30.

The controversial service has some 3.5 million registered users in the capital, but has come under fire repeatedly over a number of issues.

When TfL announced last Friday it would strip Uber of its licence to operate in the city, it claimed the firm had failed to report serious crimes, such as sex attacks and physical assaults, in its cars.

The Guardian Series spoke to one Uber driver working in east London this week, who said he had initially been surprised by TfL’s decision, but was also concerned about sexual assaults on service users.

He said: “I was confident the licence would be renewed, but I was not aware of some things, like the allegations of sexual assault. 

“I just thought this was a fight against cab drivers, but this is about Uber acting fit and proper and I have a problem with it if they are not.

“My wife and sister use this service and I want it to be as safe as houses.”

Uber’s new chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, issued an open letter on Monday, apologising for the “mistakes” the firm had made and vowing to appeal TfL’s decision.

But, aside from questions raised over the safety of Uber cars, the company has also come under fire for its business practices.

In recent years, Uber’s low fare rates have been accused of undercutting London’s black cab drivers, while also making it difficult for their own drivers to make a living.

Alan Fine, a cabbie of more than 40 years from Woodford Green, told the Guardian Series he was “ecstatic” when the company had lost its licence, but does not expect the decision to stand.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan refused to renew Uber's private hire licence last week

He added: “I think it will be short-lived, I have a feeling the whole judgement is going to be reversed. Uber’s CEO has already made a grovelling apology and said they will clean up their act.

“When Uber have cleared out the competition - they have already slaughtered local minicabs - then I think you will see their prices go up. They will be able to charge what they want.

“The prices they are charging at the moment are not sustainable, it is a loss leader like the supermarkets run and the public will be paying more for taxis in the long run if this goes on.

“I am semi-retired now and I don’t have much hope for where the trade is going in future, no one is doing the knowledge anymore.”

To put the fares to the test, the Guardian took two identical rides between Wanstead and South Woodford in and Uber and a cab.

The journey of roughly a mile-and-a-half cost £5.90 through Uber’s app and £7.40 in a licenced black cab, a difference of £1.50.

The Uber driver told us he feels the company’s rates are not unfair on drivers and many are earning good money.

He added: “I don’t feel mistreated by Uber, if I was being mistreated, I would leave - if I wasn’t making a living, I would leave.

“It is true that the fares can be a bit low, but there is a 99 per cent chance I will get another customer almost immediately after dropping one off, so the fares add up.

“Most Uber drivers I know are earning £1,000 a week.

"They are getting plenty of money in their bank accounts, the real problem is that it will fly out again very quickly on insurance and bills.”

With Mayor of London Sadiq Khan now reportedly open to negotiations with the tech firm over its private hire licence, the debate around Uber could wage on for some time yet.