Private hire drivers protest robotaxi rollout in King's Cross

Around 20 private hire drivers gathered outside Wayve's headquarters in King's Cross on Saturday to protest against the increasing deployment of driverless taxis in London. The demonstration, organised by the App Drivers’ and Couriers’ Union (ADCU), highlighted concerns over potential job losses and called for compensation for drivers who may be displaced by the technology.

Concerns over livelihoods

Drivers fear that autonomous vehicles, capable of operating 24 hours a day, will make it impossible for human drivers to compete. Abdurzak Hadi, a 50-year-old Uber driver with over 12 years of experience, described feeling like "an old car that’s not needed anymore." He stated that the technology would significantly impact his livelihood and that of many other London drivers. Mr Hadi urged the Mayor of London, Lord Sadiq Khan, to make his position on robotaxis clear and to protect the city's workers.

The ADCU has stated that drivers are being treated as "collateral damage" in the rollout of autonomous vehicles and is demanding compensation for those affected. The union also called for the complete cessation of the robotaxi rollout.

Calls for regulatory action

Brent councillor Amandine Alexandre echoed the calls for the Mayor of London to take a firmer stance against robotaxis. She suggested that the Mayor's current position was not as decisive as his opposition to Heathrow Airport expansion. Councillor Alexandre believes that autonomous vehicles could negatively alter London and that the city should have the option to reject them.

The London Assembly Transport Committee has also raised concerns, requesting that the Government grant Transport for London (TfL) the authority to limit the number of autonomous passenger vehicles that operators can deploy within the city. The committee has indicated it has not yet seen sufficient evidence to support the widespread adoption of driverless services in London.

Current status of autonomous vehicles in London

TfL granted minicab licences for self-driving vehicles in August, permitting their use on London's roads. Currently, Londoners can hail autonomous vehicles through ride-hailing apps, though each vehicle is still required to have a human safety driver present to take control if necessary. Uber has reported that over 140,000 Londoners have already indicated a preference for using self-driving vehicles.