Waymo plans driverless taxis in Toronto, and drivers fear for their jobs

Waymo's target for driverless taxis in Toronto

2028 launch target

Waymo says it plans to start testing robotaxis on Toronto's streets and launch driverless service in 2028. It still needs provincial approval and must follow city rules, which Toronto is reviewing.

The head of the Rideshare Drivers Association of Ontario says each Waymo car would put one to three rideshare drivers out of work. Waymo says it plans to create about 100 jobs, including for taxi and rideshare drivers.

Income drop for an Atlanta driver

20–30 % less income

Waymo has run driverless taxis in the US for six years and now operates in 15 cities, including San Francisco, Dallas and Miami. An Atlanta driver and union member says his income has fallen 20 to 30 per cent since it arrived.

And us?

A Waymo ride currently costs more than a taxi or ride-hailing trip, and a University of Toronto economist expects the novelty to fade. A researcher at The Dais, at Toronto Metropolitan University, says city rules could decide how streets are shared.