SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A labor group representing Uber and Lyft drivers has filed a complaint with state regulators, alleging that Waymo is violating its permit by allowing unaccompanied minors to ride in its autonomous vehicles in the Bay Area.
The California Gig Workers Union submitted the complaint to the California Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday, claiming the practice breaks state rules.
“They should follow the same rule that we follow!” said Uber and Lyft driver Hector Castellanos, who supports the union’s action.
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“I’m a driver, if I get a minor in my car, I can be deactivated, or if we have an accident with a minor, it can be a huge, huge problem. So, I believe Waymo have to follow the same rules that we have,” Castellanos said.
Waymo’s website states that minors must be accompanied by an adult. Uber and Lyft operate teen ride programs in some states, and Uber’s website says the program is available in parts of Los Angeles, but Castellanos said it is not currently offered in the Bay Area.
Some San Francisco parents said they would trust Waymo over human drivers if regulators allow unsupervised teen riders.
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“You can’t trust anyone nowadays, you know. There’s so many stories that you hear about what happened to people in Ubers and all that, so I’d rather a Waymo any day,” said Arienne Barrow.
At Washington Square Park, no parents interviewed supported letting their children ride alone in an Uber or Lyft.
“If I had a choice between a random Uber driver and AI, a driverless vehicle, at this moment I’d say AI all day. Waymo, unless the Ubers are run by women. If there was an only-woman app that had women who are verified as a child specialist, I would allow them to take my child,” said Mark Daniel.
“I’ve been in a Waymo and it’s great. You know I’m unsure of the permitting process, but I hope they could expedite that and get the proper permitting,” another parent said.
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