Waymo Robotaxis Under Fire From Atlanta Drivers, Union Demands Up To $1 Fee To Protect Human Jobs: Report

The Atlanta Rideshare Drivers Union has called on local and state officials to protect rideshare drivers’ earnings on platforms like Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:UBER) and Lyft Inc. (NASDAQ:LYFT), arguing that Alphabet Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) Waymo is already squeezing human drivers’ earnings and work volume.

A Robotaxi Impact Fee

Drivers have told lawmakers they are seeing thinner paychecks, fewer trip requests and more idle time since Waymo’s Atlanta rollout broadened in June 2025, according to a report by Axios on Friday. The union is also pushing for limiting Robotaxi deployments, according to the report.

Uber, Lyft and Waymo did not immediately respond to Benzinga‘s request for comment.

Liza Ramsey, an official in the union, proposed a Robotaxi impact fee charge on rides that would add roughly 50 cents to $1 to each fare for the drivers. She said the money would flow into a driver transition fund aimed at training, grants and other support for workers displaced by automation.