"Hochul's shift in gears on her proposal to test Waymo self-driving cars on upstate streets came after to strong backlash from for-hire vehicle driver groups and safe streets advocates. The change was made official in her 30-day amendments to her state budget proposal. Based on conversations with stakeholders, including in the legislature, it was clear that the support was not there to advance this proposal, Hochul spokesperson Sean Butler said in a statement."
"Ira Goldstein, executive director of the Black Car Fund, in a statement, thanked Hochul for removing this proposal from her proposed state budget and for listening to the concerns of drivers, small businesses, and communities across New York. Opening the door to commercial driverless vehicles anywhere in the state would have marked a significant policy shift with serious implications for working driver"
Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew a proposal to pilot Waymo self-driving for-hire vehicles in municipalities outside New York City and removed the measure from her state budget amendments. The decision followed strong opposition from for-hire vehicle driver groups and safe-streets advocates and reflected stakeholder conversations that showed insufficient support. A Siena Research Institute survey for the Black Car Fund found nearly 60% of upstate residents opposed such pilots, citing safety concerns in inclement weather and fears of job loss. Driver advocates praised the withdrawal and warned that broader commercial deployment would create significant challenges for working drivers.
Read at www.amny.com
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