Plans to introduce autonomous ride-hailing services to London have prompted renewed concerns over the future of taxi and private hire drivers, with the GMB union warning that hundreds of thousands of jobs could eventually be affected by the widespread adoption of driverless vehicles.
Delegates at the union’s annual congress in Blackpool voted on Monday to urge the government to introduce legislation protecting drivers from job losses and reductions in earnings linked to the rollout of autonomous vehicles.
The intervention comes as autonomous mobility developers Waymo and Baidu prepare to launch their driverless ride-hailing services in London in 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The companies argue the move will bring new transport options, improve accessibility, and support road safety goals in the capital.
The GMB claims that as many as 300,000 taxi and private hire driver jobs could ultimately be put at risk by the technology, though the estimate remains contested and the pace of adoption is uncertain.
Ali Haydor, a Private Hire Driver and GMB Congress Delegate, told attendees that workers should not be left to shoulder the costs of technological change.
“We hear a lot from those on the right of politics about people not working and relying on benefits, but replacing human workers will potentially push thousands into unemployment and poverty,” he said. “The gig economy firms present driverless taxis as progress – they tell us this technology will increase efficiency, reduce costs and benefit society, but progress for whom?”
The debate highlights a growing challenge facing policymakers as advances in artificial intelligence, connected vehicles, and autonomous systems accelerate across the transport sector.
Waymo’s planned UK launch marks the company’s first major expansion into Europe. The business says its autonomous vehicles have completed more than 100 million driverless miles on public roads and more than 10 million paid trips in the United States. The company argues that autonomous driving technology can reduce collisions caused by human error while expanding mobility options for passengers.
The UK government has broadly welcomed investment in autonomous vehicle technology. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander previously said the emerging sector could create jobs, attract investment, and improve transport accessibility.
Supporters of autonomous vehicles also point to their potential social benefits. Road safety advocates have suggested that removing human error from driving could significantly reduce collisions, while accessibility groups have highlighted opportunities for greater independence among people with visual impairments and other mobility challenges.
Yet concerns about workforce displacement continue to grow. The GMB argues that governments must ensure technological progress does not come at the expense of workers, calling for safeguards, retraining programmes, and measures to protect earnings as automation expands.
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