Autonomous vehicle cab service Waymo LLC is violating the conditions of its permit by transporting unaccompanied minors in California, according to a complaint filed this week.
The California Gig Workers Union, representing ride-hailing service drivers working for companies like Lyft and Uber, filed the complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission, according to a news release issued by the union.
The complaint filed Tuesday alleges that Waymo is transporting unaccompanied minors in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, constituting a violation of the CPUC’s conditions for autonomous vehicle cab services in the state.
Rules for autonomous vehicle cab services are governed by a CPUC decision issued in 2020.
“No one under 18 may travel unaccompanied, regardless of whoever chartered the vehicle,” the document states.
It also notes that Waymo requested a change to this rule, which the CPUC rejected.
In its complaint, the California Gig Workers Union is requesting that the CPUC suspend Waymo’s permit to operate an autonomous vehicle cab service in the state and impose financial penalties for the alleged violations.
“Letting minors ride alone in driverless vehicles is a real concern,” said Antioch-based Uber and Lyft driver Hector Castellanos in the union’s news release. “If something goes wrong, there’s no one there to protect them, comfort them, or make sure they’re safe. It’s against the state’s rules for a good reason.”
Waymo officials could not immediately be reached for comment.