Minneapolis City Council approves driverless rideshares ordinance; Mayor Frey says he'll veto
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance that would mandate a "human monitor" in driverless rideshares in the city. However, the mayor intends to veto it.
The ordinance, called Workers Drive Minneapolis, passed on a 7-6 vote.
"Workers Drive Minneapolis is about public safety and protecting immigrant workers from losing their jobs to automation," said City Council Minority Leader Robin Wonsley. "Rideshare drivers and their families are invested in our city and our communities. Big Tech companies are not."
It's been a hot-button issue since Waymo driverless vehicles started popping up in Minneapolis last November.
The human monitor will be required by the ordinance to have a driver's license and sit in the driver's seat of all robotaxis. The Minneapolis City Council members who supported the ordinance say it focuses on safety and would protect thousands of rideshare drivers from potentially losing their jobs to autonomous vehicles.
In a previous statement from Waymo, the company called the proposal "a de facto ban on autonomous vehicles," adding it's committed to addressing safety and mobility gaps in Minneapolis while working with officials to find a way forward. The company says there's no law like this in the 15 other cities they're already operating in. Waymo did not comment on the the jobs issues.
Council members said the ordinance would go into effect next fall, but Mayor Jacob Frey says he will veto it.
"Requiring a driver in a driverless car doesn't make sense," Frey said. "Minneapolis is open for business, open to innovative technology, and open to a variety of transportation options. Thoughtful regulation for safety is necessary, but not through a backdoor ban."
The City Council can override the mayor's veto, but will need nine votes in order to do so.
During the legislative session in the spring, Minnesota lawmakers couldn't agree on legislation surrounding driverless vehicles.
