A European Uber rival that was forced out of the UK after just three days last year is plotting a return to London, in a new challenge to the US taxi app.

Taxify, which operates in 26 countries across Europe, Africa and Australia, applied for a private hire licence with Transport for London (TfL) this month.

If successful, it will mark the latest entry into the competitive London transport market, which has been shaken up by a string of tech companies. Taxify hopes to steal a march on Uber by promising better pay to drivers, as well as cheaper fees.

The company, which allows passengers to hail a car with an app with fares automatically paid by credit card, ­entered London in September, assuming a licence by the backdoor by acquiring a small minicab operator. But after three days TfL ordered it to cease operations. In December the company pleaded guilty to operating without a minicab licence, leading it to be fined £250 and pay TfL’s £10,000 legal fees.