Driverless technology has to serve the public interest

This opinion piece from LabourList argues that driverless cabs (Autonomous Passenger Vehicles) being tested in London must be regulated to serve the public interest, not just corporate profits. It highlights concerns from a Financial Times article suggesting Andy Burnham's incoming team may slow the rollout. The author questions the benefits of driverless cabs, noting potential downsides: increased congestion, harm to 300,000 UK private hire drivers' livelihoods, and weakening of public transport. The piece warns that allowing unregulated growth of driverless cabs could lead to weaker public transport systems, more private journeys, and exclusion of older and disabled Londoners. It proposes alternatives: using the technology for freight vehicles to improve road safety, integrating autonomous vehicles with public transport (as in Oslo), and requiring operators to address transport problems rather than create new ones. The author calls on TfL to reject current operator permits and develop a plan that prioritizes workers, cities, and public transport users.