[AutonomousVehicles] Waymo opposes requiring human operators in vehicles in Boston

[Cornelius Butler]

Article Link:
https://rock929rocks.com/2025/10/30/waymo-opposes-boston-ordinance-requiring-human-operators-in-autonomous-vehicles/

Article Text:

Waymo Opposes Boston Ordinance Requiring Human Operators in Autonomous
Vehicles
Representatives of several labor unions in Boston, such as the App Drivers
Union and SEIU 32BJ, have rallied with city councilors to oppose autonomous
vehicle services without proper studies and…
Michael Vyskocil
Published Oct 30, 2025 9:39 AM EDT

Representatives of several labor unions in Boston, such as the App Drivers
Union and SEIU 32BJ, have rallied with city councilors to oppose autonomous
vehicle services without proper studies and regulations.

They are asking city officials to support a proposed ordinance that would
mandate a public study of the potential impact of driverless cars before
allowing a company like Waymo to start commercial operations.

Waymo, part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, announced earlier this
year that it would introduce a fleet of its camera-equipped vehicles to the
Boston area for testing across city neighborhoods and surrounding
communities. According to the company, the visit was part of a series of
visits to major U.S. cities.

In a statement, Waymo said trips of this type have helped to improve its
existing ride-hailing service in San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and
Austin.

Eight members of the Boston City Council have collaborated on a proposed
ordinance that would require "a comprehensive, public, and participatory
study" of how commercial self-driving vehicle services would impact
Boston's economy. This report is set for publication by July 1, 2026. Part
of this work involves creating a Commercial Autonomous Vehicle Operations
Labor and Small Business Impact Advisory Board.

"If they are going to come here, then we're going to have regulations in
place to make sure our Uber drivers and our business owners are part of
that conversation and part of those solutions," said At-Large City
Councilor Henry Santana in a statement shared with NewsCenter 5.

In response, Waymo argues that Section 6 of the city's proposal effectively
bans driverless operations by requiring a human safety operator to be
present inside autonomous vehicles transporting passengers or products.

"The proposed ordinance is an unprecedented ban on a technology that is
bringing additional safety, economic activity, accessibility, and
sustainable transportation to the cities where we operate," said Matthew
Walsh, Waymo's regional head of state and local policy, in a statement
shared with NewsCenter 5.
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