A bill could put robotaxis on Washington, D.C., streets by 2028, but local unions are resisting the proposal amid concerns that automation could cost drivers their jobs.
Here's what to know
The unions planned a protest outside Council of the District of Columbia headquarters to urge lawmakers to reject Councilmember Charles Allen's proposal to allow autonomous taxis in the District by 2028, Fox 5 DC reported. Driverless vehicles in Washington are still limited to testing.
Even though Waymo was not on the published agenda for the council meeting, labor groups pressured lawmakers. Their concern is that self-driving vehicles could take work from taxi and rideshare drivers.
"Driving is not a gig; it's a primary livelihood for thousands across the District," rideshare driver Ali Adamali told Fox 5.
Backers of the measure argue that use of the technology would improve street safety and reduce traffic injuries and deaths.
"Our goal is to help the District make roads safer for everyone, and we've spent years testing and investing in the District," Waymo wrote in a statement to the outlet.
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More background
Washington has not advanced robotaxis past the testing stage. Under the bill, Fox 5 noted a 120-day testing period would be followed by a phased transition from trials to a wider rollout.
Allen's proposal would also require autonomous vehicle companies to provide service in every neighborhood across the city.
It also envisions possible discounts for robotaxi trips that connect with public transit.
"A comprehensive [autonomous vehicle] framework in the District is an issue about saving lives, creating jobs, and expanding transit equity," Malcolm Fox, executive director of Opportunity DC, told Fox 5.
What's being done?
The measure would impose a per-mile charge on autonomous vehicle companies, with the money divided between Metro and D.C. workforce development. Unions are turning to public demonstrations as they try to block the legislation from advancing.
The last official action on the bill was a public hearing in July, and unions were set to protest Tuesday outside D.C. Council headquarters.
"It's bad enough when technology tells a person as it relates to a job that 'You are not necessary'; it is even far more sinister when technology says to humans, 'You don't need each other,'" pastor A.C. Durant of Tenth Street Baptist Church said, according to Fox 5.
Where can I learn more?
Washington's robotaxi debate echoes similar fights across the country over whether and how quickly autonomous vehicles should hit the road.
• Teamsters stalled driverless vehicle bills in nine states despite lobbying from Waymo and Tesla.
• Tesla's robotaxi service expanded to another U.S. city with major operational chang
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