New Yorkers protest Waymo's self-driving taxis

Most New Yorkers are opposed to the idea of ​​Waymo's driverless taxis on the city streets. The reasons include safety concerns, doubts about the vehicles' ability to cope with weather and traffic, and fears of job losses for drivers. Gotjamist explains in more detail why most city residents do not support driverless taxis.

According to a recent poll, the majority of New Yorkers surveyed said they were opposed to unmanned cars. The main reasons are the possible loss of jobs for drivers and doubts that such taxi will be able to navigate the chaotic city streets safely, especially in bad weather.

The survey results were published on February 9. It was conducted by the Siena Research Institute on behalf of the Black Car Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides workplace injury insurance to taxi and rental car drivers.

Poll Results

At the end of January, 802 registered New York State residents participated in the study.

Key findings of the survey:

• Almost 60% of respondents said they would feel unsafe in a car without a driver;
• About 25% of New Yorkers support the use of autonomous vehicles in the city's five boroughs.

Governor's initiative

The survey's release comes after New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to introduce legislation this year that would allow autonomous vehicle testing outside of New York City.

On the subject: Instacart grocery delivery in New York City has become more expensive, with the company introducing an additional fee for city residents.

"This initiative builds on years of successful test demonstrations across the state. It reflects growing evidence that autonomous vehicles can improve road safety and expand transportation options when implemented thoughtfully," she wrote in her annual State of the State statement.

Waymo tests in New York

Last August, then-New York City Mayor Eric Adams authorized Waymo to test eight vehicles on city streets. Drivers were required. These vehicles are currently prohibited from carrying passengers.

Adams extended the pilot program until the end of March, nearing the end of his mayoral term.

The position of the city administration

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined to comment on the governor's plans to expand testing of autonomous vehicles last month while introducing his candidate for the new taxi commissioner at LaGuardia Airport.

"I take the advent of autonomous vehicles very seriously. I will ensure that our policies and decisions are focused on the drivers who keep our city moving," Mamdani noted.

Where Waymo's driverless taxis are already operating

Waymo currently operates self-driving taxi services in several US cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Miami.

The company reports that it operates approximately 400,000 trips per week. According to Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher, safety records show a tenfold reduction in accidents resulting in serious injuries or worse compared to taxis driven by regular drivers in the cities where the service operates.

"Combined with New York City's investments in congestion management, speed reduction, and increased enforcement, Waymo will make transportation in New York City easier, safer, and more accessible," Teicher concluded.

Protests and concerns of residents

Waymo's entry into the New York market has sparked protests from disability rights advocates, who point out that the robots are unable to assist wheelchair users into vehicles.

Taxi and rental car drivers also oppose the technology. They view driverless cars as a direct threat to their livelihoods and source of income.

Beyond the survey data, many city residents are also unprepared for Waymo's arrival.

"The only people who are truly interested in robots replacing human jobs are trillionaires. They dream of conquering another planet. They want to escape us as quickly as possible," said Bhairavi Desai, head of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance.

According to her, ordinary people understand the threat posed by autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence. They are concerned with the potential loss of jobs and the implications for society of industries that no longer value human labor.