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Why Waymo’s Driverless Taxis Won’t Be on Your Streets Anytime Soon
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Late last year, Waymo proposed to New York officials a plan to offer driverless rides while providing around $20 million to support taxi drivers and workers displaced by the technology.
- Despite this offer, labor groups strongly opposed the plan, leading Governor Kathy Hochul to withdraw her budget proposal that would have permitted Waymo to operate in much of New York state, excluding New York City.
- Labor representatives, such as Bhairavi Desai of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, criticized tech companies for underestimating workers' influence and successfully blocked the legalization of self-driving taxis.
- Waymo is encountering increasing political resistance nationwide, with stalled or withdrawn legislation in major markets like New York, Illinois, and Washington, despite earlier successes in California.
- New York City's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has indicated he will prioritize taxi drivers' interests when considering regulations for autonomous vehicle services.
