Opinion: Robotaxis a ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’

Recent efforts to paint autonomous ride-hailing services as a complement to public transit are, according to CityLab’s David Zipper, greenwashing.

1 minute read

November 1, 2024, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White Waymo autonomous SUV taxi on San Francisco street.

Tada Images / Adobe Stock

Is autonomous ride-hailing “an asset to cities and transit agencies?” In a piece for Bloomberg CityLab, David Zipper questions this assertion, which robotaxi companies are eager to make. “Transit-robotaxi synergy is an enticing message at a time when public transportation agencies face a dire funding shortage, and it could especially resonate among left-leaning residents in places like the Bay Area who value buses and trains even if they seldom use them.”

But the industry is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Zipper warns. After outlining the potential problems with a Waymo promotion that encourages people to get dropped off at Bay Area transit stations, Zipper notes that “According to a 2022 study of the region, just 0.4% of the region’s transit journeys included a ride-hail trip.”

Automobiles inflict damage that many cities are now trying to reverse by encouraging transit or biking, which are far more space-efficient and sustainable than even an electric car, autonomous or not.

Zipper adds that autonomous ride-hailing will likely follow the same pattern as its human-driven predecessors, which did not yield an increase in transit trips and often created more congestion. “In fact, a surge in self-driving cars would likely be a net negative for transit (even if the vehicles do not squat on transit lines and bus stations, as has happened repeatedly in San Francisco).”

Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Bloomberg CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

People sitting and walking in plaza in front of historic Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners

How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

March 28, 2025 - Emily McCoy

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Large oak tree in meadow with sun filtering from behind it in Angeles National Forest.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods

Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.

45 minutes ago - ASLA The Dirt

Turquoise blue water in Lake Michigan on tranquil sandy shoreline.

Scientists Studying Artificial Reefs as Flood Mitigation in Great Lakes

Artificial reefs could offer a ‘softer’ flood management and erosion solution that doesn’t disrupt the flow of sediment.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

Cars passing through flooded street after Hurricane Sandy in New York City.

FEMA Resilience Program Cuts Grant Funding

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program funded projects from flood prevention to power station upgrades.

2 hours ago - Fast Company