Robotaxi Expansion Stalls Across US as Labor Groups and Lawmakers Push Back

Autonomous taxi services are growing in the United States, but regulatory and political resistance is mounting in several states. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew a proposal to allow driverless robotaxis outside New York City following opposition from taxi drivers, unions, and lawmakers, leaving commercial driverless service still illegal statewide. In Washington DC, labor unions are actively opposing legislation to legalize commercial robotaxis, while lawmakers are considering a 200-vehicle cap and a 15-cent-per-mile fee to fund public transit upgrades and support displaced workers. The debates reflect a broader national tension between the rapid technological advancement of autonomous vehicles and the concerns of workers and regulators over safety, jobs, and oversight.