Local gig drivers and community members flooded a California Public Utilities Commission public hearing on Waymo and other autonomous vehicles (also known as “robotaxis”) operations, citing the need for transparency, public safety, and worker protections as driverless vehicles expand their presence on city streets.

Calls for oversight have intensified following Waymo malfunctions in recent weeks, when autonomous vehicles stalled in intersections and streets during a city-wide electric power outage. Video and eyewitnesses reported Waymo vehicles stopping unexpectedly or behaving unpredictably, prompting renewed questions about the autonomous vehicles’ reliability during emergencies.

Additionally, incidents involving Waymo vehicles striking a cat and dog have further fueled concerns about how autonomous vehicles detect and respond to vulnerable road users, such as animals, pedestrians, and cyclists.

“During last month’s blackout and storm, Waymo’s vehicles ground to a halt, blocking intersections and potentially slowing down emergency responders when every second counts,” said San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who introduced the public hearing on autonomous vehicles. “This hearing will demand concrete answers on how they plan to prevent technology from putting San Franciscans’ safety at risk moving forward.”

Gig drivers for Uber and Lyft, many of whom spend long hours navigating local streets, said recent reports confirm what they have been warning about.

“I want technology to move forward, but we can’t forget the people who depend on driving to survive,” said Hector Castellanos, an Uber and Lyft driver and member of California Gig Workers Union. “Every day I drive to make a living, following rules meant to keep everyone safe. Now I see autonomous vehicles like Waymo on the same streets with a different set of rules, and it feels unfair, especially to those of us who make a living driving and to our communities who rely on safe roads. I’m grateful to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for calling for a public hearing, so drivers like me can share our experiences and make sure everyone on the road is held to the same standards.”

Gig drivers from other cities where Waymo has announced plans for expansion are also urging local leaders to hold public hearings before allowing more robotaxis. 

“As someone who spends most of the day driving to make a living, I’m glad that San Francisco leaders are taking action. San Diego should do the same—big tech needs to be held responsible,” said Ashby Resendiz, an Uber and Lyft driver from San Diego and a member of the California Gig Workers Union. “Gig drivers have spent nearly a decade fighting to be heard and won the right to join a union. Now we’re going to make sure we have a real say in how Waymos and other self-driving cars will affect our lives and our futures.”

The proposed public hearing, to be scheduled in the coming weeks, would give residents, workers, and policymakers an opportunity to ask questions and evaluate the impacts of robotaxis on traffic safety, emergency response, jobs, and in neighborhoods.