Growing Concerns at City Hall over London’s “Robocab” Rollout

Elly Baker AM raised concerns about the impact of self-driving ‘robotaxis’ on London’s taxi and private hire drivers during a London Assembly Transport Committee meeting. 

The meeting was repeatedly interrupted by taxi drivers who raised concerns about the potential impact on their jobs and earnings. 

The committee was also questioning representatives from autonomous vehicle companies Waymo and Wayve about the safety implications of introducing driverless vehicles onto London’s busy and complex roads. 

Concerns raised during the meeting included the potential impact on cyclists and pedestrians, particularly over whether autonomous vehicles would be able to successfully recognise cycle lanes. 

The meeting was part of the London Assembly Transport Committee’s wider investigation into the impact of driverless vehicles on London. 

Elly Baker, Londonwide Assembly Member and Labour’s Transport Spokesperson on the London Assembly, said; 

“The drivers were expressing concerns and worries about the rollout of robocabs. 

This relates to their loss of earnings and especially a feeling of authorities not listening to drivers – they feel cut out of this conversation about what is going to happen to hundreds of thousands of jobs. They feel it is happening around them, rather than with their engagement.”