ROBOTAXIS


DRIVERLESS TAXIS AND BUSES TO HIT UK ROADS A YEAR EARLY IN 2026 BOOST


The future of UK transport is accel- erating, with self-driving taxi and bus services set to begin piloting on England’s roads in spring 2026 – a full year ahead of schedule. This fast-tracked initiative under- scores the Government's ambition for the UK to be at the forefront of AV technology. Firms will be permitted to trial small-scale “taxi- and bus-like” services without a safety driver, potentially allowing the public to book these vehicles via an app. This precedes a wider rollout anticipated from the second half of 2027, when the full Automated Vehicles (AV) Act is expected to become law. The DfT stated bringing forward these pilots will be a significant economic driver, forecasting the creation of 38,000 jobs and an industry worth £42 billion by 2035. Transport Secretary Heidi Alex- ander stated: “The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology.” She emphasised that “road safety would be at the heart” of both the trials and forthcoming legislation. The AV Act will mandate that self- driving vehicles achieve a safety standard at least as high as that of competent human drivers and undergo rigorous testing. The DfT believes that self-driving vehicles can help reduce deaths and injuries on the roads. Beyond safety, these vehicles are envisioned to


enhance transport options,


particularly in rural areas, boosting connectivity, improving mobility and independence for those unable


PHTM JULY 2025 to drive.


The UK has been a hub for self- driving trials since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa leading significant advance- ments. Wayve recently secured over $1 billion in investment and announced partnerships with Nissan and Uber, while Oxa has supported “bus-like” services in the US and implemented self-driving vehicles for baggage handling at Heathrow Airport. lex Kendall, co-founder and CEO at Wayve, welcomed the accelerated timeline. “Accelerating commercial self-driving pilots to 2026 positions the UK as a leading destination for the deployment of L4 self-driving technology,” he said. “These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services, and markets. For Wayve, this means we can prioritise the UK for early deployment and help deliver safer, cleaner mobility to the UK.” Gavin Jackson, Oxa’s CEO, believes that “clear rules” will stimulate the market and encourage transport companies to


benefits of autonomous vehicles nationwide. He concluded: “Today’s announce- ment shows that Britain is ready for this technology.”


Meanwhile, Uber has announced a landmark trial in partnership with UK tech firm Wayve. Uber, which sees London as its largest European market, plans for these AVs to be bookable via its app. A broader rollout of these “robotaxis” is anticipated once the AV Act fully takes effect in late 2027. In accelerating its timeline, the UK has drawn lessons from established driverless taxi services in cities such as San Francisco and various locations in China. However, the impending arrival of robotaxis has sparked concern among some, particularly regarding the future of existing taxi and private hire/Uber drivers. Labour’s transport spokesperson in the London assembly, Elly Baker, warned: “Although jobs might be created building and managing driverless cars, existing taxi and private hire drivers shouldn’t risk being left behind.” Black cab drivers, long accustomed to


market shifts,


appear largely unperturbed. Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, dismissed the plans as unrealistic. “They are living in fantasy land. We’re probably going to have flying taxis before we have autonomous ones in London,” McNamara quipped.


embrace the


He questioned public trust, adding: “Are people who don’t trust a robot to cut their grass or clean their house going to trust one to take their kids to school or drive their elderly mum around?” McNamara remains unconvinced, stating: “I’m genuinely not worried. Come back to me in 2040.”


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