Waymo Allegedly Transporting Minors Alone
A labor group representing rideshare drivers has filed an official complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission accusing Waymo of transporting minors without adult supervision in its autonomous vehicles. The California Gig Workers Union, which advocates for drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft, submitted the complaint late Tuesday alleging that Waymo’s driverless service is violating the terms of its state permit by allowing unaccompanied minors to ride in robotaxis. The union is urging regulators to investigate the claims and determine whether Waymo has adequate safeguards in place, and is seeking enforcement actions that could include suspending the company’s permit.
Allegations and Regulatory Questions
The complaint accuses Waymo of knowingly violating state transportation rules designed to protect children, arguing that the company’s autonomous vehicles may be giving minors rides without adults present in contravention of CPUC regulations. The filing requests that the commission examine whether such incidents are occurring, how they are happening, and what steps Waymo has taken to prevent them. It also calls on regulators to consider penalties or other enforcement actions if violations are confirmed. Waymo’s current permit from the CPUC includes requirements tied to safety and operational compliance that critics say prohibit unaccompanied minors from being transported. Rideshare drivers point out that human drivers face strict sanctions, including suspension or deactivation, if they transport minors without complying with rules. The union’s complaint argues that Waymo should be held to the same standards and that safeguards must be in place before any broad interpretation of the rules is allowed.
Support and Opposition from the Streets
Some drivers with the union backing have publicly voiced frustration with what they characterize as uneven enforcement of safety rules. One Uber and Lyft driver said that Waymo should adhere to the same regulations that apply to other ride‑hail drivers. The driver said that transporting minors alone presents “a huge, huge problem” if an incident occurs, noting that solo rides by minors in traditional services can lead to deactivation of the driver’s account. On the other hand, some parents in the Bay Area express a degree of comfort with the idea of robotaxis carrying their children. Several interviewed said they would trust an autonomous system sooner than a random human driver, especially in an environment where parents are concerned about safety in conventional ride‑hail services. Others, however, were not convinced that allowing unaccompanied minors in any ride‑hail service, human or autonomous, is appropriate.
Waymo’s Rules and Broader Policy Context
Waymo’s publicly stated policy generally requires riders to be 18 or older unless accompanied by an adult, and the company is in ongoing discussions with California regulators about how to handle under‑18 riders. In other regions, including Phoenix, Waymo already operates programs that allow teens aged 14 to 17 to ride alone with parental permission, but those services are structured with specific parental account ties and controls. The CPUC is at a crossroads as it evaluates whether to uphold strict limitations on transporting unaccompanied minors or consider policies that align autonomous vehicle services more closely with traditional ride‑hail services. Regulators must weigh safety concerns and technological capabilities against calls for innovation and expanded access. At this stage neither Waymo nor the CPUC has publicly responded in detail to the complaint. Regulators could decide to open a formal investigation or pursue hearings to address the issues raised by driver advocates.
