Jason D, a 50-year-old Uber driver based in Phoenix, shared with Business Insider that he struggles to earn a competitive wage as increased competition from human drivers, declining fares, reduced tips, and high operating costs weigh down his earnings. He further expressed concern about the influx of Waymo One robotaxis, stating, 'Driverless taxis are flooding an already competitive Phoenix market and taking money from human drivers.' His sentiment reflects a broader anxiety among gig workers about the financial implications of automation.
The Waymo One robotaxi service, owned by Alphabet, reported in August that it was providing over 100,000 paid rides weekly in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix, with expansion plans for Atlanta and Austin. This makes the competition for ride-hailing drivers even stiffer. Experts suggest that while regulatory and safety issues may slow the emergence of robotaxis, there's a consensus that their growth poses a significant threat to the earnings of Uber and Lyft drivers, who are already feeling the impact.
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