London cabbies want Sadiq Khan to slam the brakes on robotaxis
Union urges Mayor to halt driverless taxi rollout as City Hall report raises questions about safety, congestion, and who's actually in charge
London's minicab drivers are urging Mayor Sadiq Khan to halt the introduction of driverless taxis, according to a new report from City Hall. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has called for Transport for London (TfL) to suspend the rollout of autonomous passenger services, citing concerns that the technology is not yet ready for the capital's streets.
The 66-page report issued by the London Assembly Transport Committee expresses doubt over London's preparedness for driverless cars, and advises TfL to collaborate with unions and operators to retrain, redeploy, and fund affected drivers. Companies such as Google's Waymo, Wayve, and Baidu are planning to launch autonomous taxis in London, but the committee warns of potential job losses and safety concerns.
The union has opposed the rollout, warning that the technology could put thousands of drivers out of work, while also questioning the handling of medical emergencies, passenger safety, and accessibility. The committee has recommended stricter safety measures, giving TfL powers to limit the number of autonomous vehicles on the road and establish a process to suspend permits if necessary.
Despite the concerns, only 29 percent of Londoners surveyed would be likely to use autonomous passenger vehicles.
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