New York Drops $20 Million Waymo Taxi Plan After Driver Unions Revolt
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 17
New York Drops $20 Million Waymo Taxi Plan After Driver Unions Revolt
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 17
Summary
$20 million in proposed worker funding failed to save Waymo’s bid to win approval for driverless taxis in New York, where Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration abandoned the plan after labor opposition.
January’s budget proposal would have legalized Waymo service across much of the state but not New York City; Hochul withdrew support a month later after taxi-driver groups protested.
Waymo had pitched the money for taxi drivers and other workers displaced by the technology, but unions framed the retreat as a political victory over Silicon Valley.
The setback adds to broader resistance in major markets: Illinois legislation has stalled, Washington’s council has delayed action for years, and New York City’s mayor says drivers’ interests will weigh heavily.