Workers erupt over DC plan to bring robotaxis to city streets: 'This is bulls---'

Protesters gathered outside the John Wilson Building as D.C. council members met to discuss legislation that would allow Waymo and other autonomous vehicle operators to offer commercial rides in Washington, D.C. The protesters urged the council to reject the legislation, arguing that an influx of robotaxis would displace rideshare drivers.

"We came out here today strongly because we feel that these robotaxis will put people out of work," one protester told Fox News Digital. "And people need jobs."

"I'm against robotaxis because it takes away from the community, it takes away from their jobs, it takes away food from their table," Frederick from Virginia said.

He continued, "People need jobs to be able to support their family."

Another person at the protest acknowledged that autonomous vehicles could eliminate some driving jobs but argued the city should "take the offensive" by shortening the workweek without cutting pay and expanding employment elsewhere.

"We should take the offensive on job issues," Michael from Washington, D.C., said. "We should shorten the workweek, without a loss in pay. So we'll create more jobs in public transportation, in hospitals, in service industries. So we actually maybe will lose some jobs to taxi drivers, but we'll create better paying jobs."

Protesters claimed that while prices may be lower as the driverless vehicles roll out, the rates will eventually spike.

"That's just something just to…get our antennas up and have us saying, 'Yeah, ooo, we're gonna get cheaper rides,'" Sabrina said. "It might be cheap for the trial periods, and then all of a sudden we'll be paying $50. So no, I don't believe that. That's just some crap just to get people engaged with the Waymo."

"They seem the same price to me," Helen from Maryland said. "They're in other cities and it seems like not much of a difference in the pricing."

There was a public hearing on the bill in July, but no vote has been scheduled. The bill would have to be approved by the entire council before self-driving cars start to hit the city's streets.

"A worker should be at the table," Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Samuel Epps told Fox News Digital at the protest. "We shouldn't rush this."

"I don't think it's good for the city," Eddie said. "If my children gonna get in a car, I would prefer for a human to be driving."