ROBOTAXIS...ROBOTAXIS LONDON ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES URGENT
INQUIRY INTO LOOMING ROBOTAXI ROLLOUT
The London Assembly Transport Committee has launched an urgent inquiry into driverless taxis as technology firms push to launch
commercial robotaxi
services in the capital this year. The investigation will examine how AVs should be licensed and regulated by the Mayor of London and TfL, especially after govern- ment plans accelerated the approval process for driverless trials without human safety backups. Public anxiety over the technology
remains high with research data revealing that “almost four in five people in London would not feel comfortable travelling in a vehicle without a driver,” while a mere 21% said they trusted the technology. Additionally, over a third of those surveyed by
automotive data
company, HPI, questioned the reliability of autonomous systems. While firms such as Waymo claim their vehicles are involved in “92% fewer collisions” than those with human drivers, the Assembly
METRO MAYOR PUTS BRAKES ON AV ROLL-OUT IN WEST OF ENGLAND
Bristol and the West of England will not see robotaxis on their streets anytime soon after Metro Mayor, Helen Godwin, rejected the idea, despite a new government push for the technology. While the UK government has launched a nationwide pilot scheme inviting tech firms to apply for AV licences later this year, the West of England Combined Authority holds the ultimate power to block or permit the vehicles across Bristol and Bath as it takes over regional taxi licensing. When asked if the region would become an early adopter of driverless technology, Ms Godwin made it clear that her priorities lie elsewhere. “I’m much more focused on delivering better buses, more trains and stations, and mass transit plans,” she said, adding that the region’s
record transport
funding requires “a steady hand on the wheel.” Transport chiefs for the combined
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authority intend to monitor trials in other areas first and have pledged that any future changes in the West of England will only be made “in consultation with taxi drivers.” The regional block comes as the Capital moves ahead with the technology. However, London trials have already faced teething prob- lems, with East London residents complaining that the mapping cars are repeatedly getting stuck in dead-end streets and making loud siren noises late at night. Despite local hesitation, the gov- ernment is highly enthusiastic about the technology’s potential. Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood, hailed self-driving vehicles as a “transformative opportunity for Britain.” While a DfT spokesperson added the pilot scheme could eventually include driverless buses. The government has promised that all pilot services will face rigorous cyber and safety checks.
remains sceptical. Critics argue that valid safety comparisons are difficult to make because AVs have not yet covered enough miles or faced enough complex traffic scenarios to definitively prove they are safer. Cybersecurity experts have also raised the alarm over hacking risks, pointing to government analysis that warned connected vehicles could become targets for criminals or terrorists seeking to disrupt networks or demand ransom payments. Beyond safety, the inquiry will heavily focus on the economic and social fallout of automation. Traditional taxi/PH drivers face a massive threat to their livelihoods, with more than 380,000 licensed drivers across the UK potentially affected by the shift. There are also growing concerns regarding the city’s potential dependence on private, foreign- owned commercial firms to run vital pieces of London’s transport infrastructure. Supporters of the tech emphasise its massive economic potential, with the Society of Motor Manu- facturers and Traders estimating self-driving transport could add £66 billion to the UK economy by 2040. However, Assembly members are questioning how commercial robotaxis align with the Mayor’s broader environ- mental and traffic goals, which include cutting traffic by 15%. TfL has maintained that any future roll-out must firmly support “safer roads”, “better air quality” and “protection for vulnerable road users.”
JULY 2026 PHTM
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