The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD) is taking a stand against Waymo’s entry into New York City, raising alarms about what driverless cars could mean for the livelihoods of tens of thousands of professional drivers.
Protest at Governor Hochul’s Office
On Wednesday, members of the NYSFTD gathered outside Governor Kathy Hochul’s office to voice their opposition to Waymo’s self-driving vehicle testing. Their message was clear: allowing autonomous cars onto city streets threatens the jobs of the very people who keep New York moving every day.
Fernando Mateo, spokesperson for the group, stated during the demonstration:
“They’re trying to replace 200,000 men and women that make the city move today.”
The protest came after Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, submitted a permit application to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) in June. Mayor Eric Adams and the DOT gave the green light to the program just four days ago, sparking outrage from the union.
Why Drivers Are Concerned
The NYSFTD argues that if self-driving cars take hold in New York, the ripple effects will be devastating. From yellow cab drivers and ride-share operators to delivery drivers and private car services, hundreds of thousands of people rely on driving for their income. The fear is that autonomous fleets could make these workers obsolete, wiping out stable jobs in one of the city’s largest industries.
The City’s Position on Driverless Cars
On the other side, the NYC Department of Transportation maintains that testing autonomous vehicles is part of preparing the city for the future. The agency highlights its commitment to “responsible testing” as a way to explore safer, more sustainable, and more efficient transportation options.
According to DOT guidelines, any company seeking to test self-driving cars in the city must first secure official approval and have a human operator in the vehicle during testing. This requirement aligns with New York State law, which has some of the strictest autonomous driving regulations in the country.
What’s Next?
The conflict between taxi drivers and tech companies like Waymo raises a bigger question: how does New York City balance innovation with protecting the livelihoods of its workers? As testing moves forward, the debate will likely intensify—especially in a city where driving isn’t just a job, it’s a cornerstone of the economy and culture.
