New York City taxi and limousine drivers rallied on Tuesday, August 26th, outside Governor Kathy Hochul’s Manhattan office, protesting the launch of Waymo’s experimental self-driving car pilot in the city. The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD) warned that allowing autonomous vehicles sets a dangerous precedent—and jeopardizes the livelihoods of more than 200,000 drivers across New York.
Under the recently approved pilot program, Waymo is permitted to test up to eight autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in Manhattan below 112th Street and parts of Downtown Brooklyn through late September 2025. Each vehicle must have a human safety specialist behind the wheel, and passenger service is prohibited under current regulations.
Mayor Eric Adams hailed the Waymo initiative as a step toward innovation and future urban mobility. In a press release, Adams said, “We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward.”
Waymo emphasized its track record—over 10 million rides completed across other U.S. cities—and highlighted its collaboration with local agencies on safety protocols.
Taxi industry leaders, however, argue that testing in New York’s dense, unpredictable traffic environment is reckless and undermines workers’ rights. TWU International Administrative Vice President Curtis Tate commented on the topic of self-driving cars in NYC, saying, “Pedestrians cross streets in Manhattan like nowhere else in the country. They do whatever they want, whenever they want. These vehicles are not prepared to deal with that kind of pedestrian interaction.”
With tensions high, the unfolding Waymo pilot promises to intensify debates on technology, safety, and the future of ride-hailing in NYC.
