Protest held against Waymo in Boston as city council holds hearing on self-driving cars
A protest was held against Waymo outside Boston's City Hall today as lawmakers consider the impacts of driverless cars on city streets.
A Boston City Council committee is holding a at 10 a.m. "to evaluate autonomous vehicle operations in Boston," and members of the public are invited to weigh in.
Concerns about handling Boston's streets
City leaders said a lot of questions need to be answered about how autonomous vehicles would operate on Boston's streets.
"We also have issues with doubled-parked cars, rideshares, delivery vehicles. There is also nonstop road construction during the summer, street closings as well," said City Councilor Ed Flynn at the hearing. "And in winter, we have snow banks."
After the hearing, labor unions representing Uber and Lyft drivers, delivery drivers, transportation workers and truck drivers rallied outside City Hall "to hold Waymo and other autonomous vehicle companies accountable," organizers say.
"I don't think a driverless taxi can navigate its way around Boston," said UPS driver Jack Maier, who testified at the City Council hearing. "You see the tourists, you see people stepping off the curbs, you see the kids on scooters. Losing jobs would be my second biggest concern. Once they take their jobs, who's to say that they're not going to come for everybody else's job?"
Waymo has been testing its self-driving robotaxis around Boston, but with humans behind the wheel. The company said it is exploring a range of areas, including Mission Hill, East Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and South Boston. Waymo cars have also been scouting the Mass Pike and I-93.
Waymo already offers driverless rides in major cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Austin, Texas. The company said on CBS Sunday Morning in May that it plans to expand to a dozen more cities.
Rideshare drivers worried about losing jobs
The prospect of robocars navigating Boston's notoriously bad traffic and winding streets has been a divisive issue. Uber and Lyft drivers have expressed concerns that it could take away their jobs, and also raised safety concerns.
"Driving here is not like driving in the rest of the country," said Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge. "Our streets are complex, they're congested, they're chaotic."
Waymo said in a statement to WBZ-TV that it's focused on safety accessibility.
"Our recent testing in the greater Boston area has shown how Waymo's fully autonomous service can complement the region's existing transportation systems with safe, sustainable, and accessible options. We aim to serve the people of Boston and the millions of people who visit the city each year, and we look forward to ongoing collaboration with local communities and stakeholders."
