Posted on the 21st October 2026 in PHTM News

LONDON ROBOTAXI TRIALS FACE BACKLASH AS DRIVERS PROTEST OVER SAFETY AND JOB FEARS

Protesters gathered outside the King’s Cross offices of autonomous vehicle company Wayve, demanding an immediate halt to London driverless taxi trials over growing fears surrounding safety, increased congestion, and widespread job losses. 

On Saturday 17 October around 15 demonstrators rallied against the ongoing tests, which Wayve is currently conducting across the capital alongside driverless technology firm Waymo, using human safety operators on board.

Members of transport unions expressed deep anxiety about competing against automated technology. Abdurzak Hadi, a private hire driver representing the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU), voiced concern that he would be "forced to compete with a machine that can work 24 hours" and called on Transport for London (TfL) to suspend driverless vehicle licences until clear guidance is provided. 

He highlighted a lack of communication with current drivers, asking: "No message was sent to the wider drivers to inform them of the situation; what is TfL's stance in this position? What's going to happen?"

Campaigners and trade union representatives warned that the technology threatens both livelihoods and public transport infrastructure. 

Priyanka Khurana, from campaign group Fare Free London, cautioned that driverless cars would worsen road congestion rather than improve it. She said: "By adding more cars, you're first of all taking away the jobs of the taxi drivers. Instead of having more buses, you're having more cars on the road and that's what we don't want."

Meanwhile,GMB union representative and London bus driver James Rossi called for firm safety and job guarantees, suggesting tech firms assist with funding retraining programmes for displaced workers. "We're not here to stop artificial intelligence," he noted. "What we want is assurances."

The demonstration follows a recent London Assembly Transport Committee report, which warned that robotaxis could intensify traffic congestion and endanger livelihoods while urging that TfL be granted stronger regulatory powers over the sector.

In response, Wayve maintained that automated passenger services could "make a positive contribution to London's transport system, helping to improve road safety, expand connectivity and give people more ways to travel."

A company spokesperson pointed to "clear excitement in the potential for this technology to support safer, more accessible journeys" and noted that Wayve is taking a "deliberately phased approach" alongside partner Uber. 

Both Wayve and TfL confirmed they are collaborating with government bodies and unions to ensure future operations align with the Mayor's Transport Strategy, with TfL stressing that "safety is our top priority and any automated passenger service in London can only operate with TfL's consent."


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