California Rideshare Drivers Rally Against Robotaxis Amid New Regulatory Proposals

On Friday, drivers for Lyft and Uber gathered in San Francisco to protest against self-driving Waymo taxis. They called on state regulators to implement stricter oversight of autonomous vehicles, especially in light of recent incidents where these cars have caused harm to pets and disrupted traffic.

Approximately two dozen drivers and supporters participated in the demonstration, holding signs and voicing their concerns outside the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) office. This meeting was convened to discuss potential regulations for autonomous vehicles, highlighting the growing need for accountability in this rapidly evolving industry.

A constant stream of Waymo vehicles passed by the protest, underscoring their increasing presence in San Francisco. “I personally am not against technology; what I am against is unfair treatment,” stated Joseph Augusto, a driver for both Uber and Lyft. “We have these companies, these autonomous vehicle firms, operating in the city without being held to the same standards as us drivers.”

The CPUC, which oversees the operations of Uber and Lyft, is currently refining and expanding its policies regarding autonomous robotaxis as the industry continues to grow. The California Gig Workers Union has voiced that these vehicles should be removed from the streets until safety concerns are adequately addressed.

While the state agency refrained from commenting on the protest, a spokesperson for Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), emphasized that the company is “on a mission to be the world’s most trusted driver, making it safe, more accessible, and more sustainable for riders to get around.”

Recent events have raised questions about the reliability of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles. For instance, during a mass power outage just days before Christmas, several Waymo cars became immobilized, blocking streets and forcing the company to suspend its services. This incident highlighted concerns regarding the vehicles’ ability to navigate real-world driving conditions effectively.

In another troubling incident, a Waymo made an illegal U-turn in front of a no-turn sign, but police were unable to issue a ticket due to the absence of a human driver. Additionally, in October, a Waymo tragically killed a beloved neighborhood cat named Kit Kat.

Augusto recounted witnessing Waymo vehicles stalled at intersections during the December power outage, as pedestrians maneuvered around them. “There were a lot of Waymos around, just randomly all over the city, and there’s no plan,” he remarked, expressing frustration over the apparent lack of coordination.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
California
Legislation
Personal Auto
Sharing Economy
Ridesharing

On Friday, drivers for Lyft and Uber gathered in San Francisco to protest against self-driving Waymo taxis. They called on state regulators to implement stricter oversight of autonomous vehicles, especially in light of recent incidents where these cars have caused harm to pets and disrupted traffic.

Approximately two dozen drivers and supporters participated in the demonstration, holding signs and voicing their concerns outside the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) office. This meeting was convened to discuss potential regulations for autonomous vehicles, highlighting the growing need for accountability in this rapidly evolving industry.

A constant stream of Waymo vehicles passed by the protest, underscoring their increasing presence in San Francisco. “I personally am not against technology; what I am against is unfair treatment,” stated Joseph Augusto, a driver for both Uber and Lyft. “We have these companies, these autonomous vehicle firms, operating in the city without being held to the same standards as us drivers.”

The CPUC, which oversees the operations of Uber and Lyft, is currently refining and expanding its policies regarding autonomous robotaxis as the industry continues to grow. The California Gig Workers Union has voiced that these vehicles should be removed from the streets until safety concerns are adequately addressed.

While the state agency refrained from commenting on the protest, a spokesperson for Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), emphasized that the company is “on a mission to be the world’s most trusted driver, making it safe, more accessible, and more sustainable for riders to get around.”

Recent events have raised questions about the reliability of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles. For instance, during a mass power outage just days before Christmas, several Waymo cars became immobilized, blocking streets and forcing the company to suspend its services. This incident highlighted concerns regarding the vehicles’ ability to navigate real-world driving conditions effectively.

In another troubling incident, a Waymo made an illegal U-turn in front of a no-turn sign, but police were unable to issue a ticket due to the absence of a human driver. Additionally, in October, a Waymo tragically killed a beloved neighborhood cat named Kit Kat.

Augusto recounted witnessing Waymo vehicles stalled at intersections during the December power outage, as pedestrians maneuvered around them. “There were a lot of Waymos around, just randomly all over the city, and there’s no plan,” he remarked, expressing frustration over the apparent lack of coordination.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
California
Legislation
Personal Auto
Sharing Economy
Ridesharing