The Transport Committee met on Tuesday 9 June 2026 to discuss autonomous passenger vehicles (AVs) in London. The committee heard from experts on the potential impacts of AVs on safety, congestion, accessibility, employment, and the economy. Key discussions revolved around the need for robust regulation, the potential for AVs to support public transport, and the ethical considerations surrounding their deployment.

Autonomous Passenger Vehicles in London

The committee engaged in an extensive discussion regarding the introduction of autonomous passenger vehicles (AVs) in London. Experts highlighted that the impact of AVs on road safety is contingent on the circumstances of their introduction, the scale of deployment, and crucially, the regulatory framework put in place. While some evidence from US cities suggests a reduction in serious crashes, concerns were raised about the applicability of this data to London's road network and the potential for indirect safety implications for vulnerable road users.

Thomas Ableman, former Director of Strategy and Innovation at Transport for London (TfL), suggested that while AV technology has the potential to improve connectivity, the current robo-taxi model promoted by companies like Waymo and Baidu may not be the most effective way to achieve this. He argued for a focus on what London wants from AVs, such as improving public transport, rather than solely on whether they are safe. Professor Glenn Lyons, Mott McDonald Professor of Future Mobility at UWE Bristol, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to define the problems AVs are intended to solve, aligning with the Mayor's Transport Strategy objectives.

The potential for AVs to contribute to public transport was a significant theme. Dr Nick Reed, founder of Reed Mobility, pointed to experiments in Oslo where small autonomous vehicles are being used to connect low-density suburbs to the public transport network. This model, he suggested, could be particularly beneficial for outer London boroughs where achieving the Mayor's target of 80% of trips made by walking, cycling, and public transport is challenging. However, concerns were raised about the cost of AVs and the risk of them being primarily deployed as private hire services, potentially increasing congestion.

Assembly Member Neil Garratt raised concerns about edge cases – unusual situations such as roadworks, emergency services, or sabotage attempts – and how AVs would perform in these scenarios. The panel discussed the importance of remote operation and the need for transparency from companies regarding their safety data, drawing parallels with the aviation industry's approach to accident investigation.

The discussion also touched upon the economic implications of AVs. While the Government has projected significant economic benefits, experts cautioned that these figures might be overly optimistic and that the primary economic gains could accrue to US tech companies rather than the UK. Concerns were also raised about the potential displacement of jobs in the taxi and private hire sectors, with a call for interventions to support retraining and a phased introduction of AVs to manage these impacts.

Regarding accessibility, experts noted that AVs could offer greater mobility for young people and disabled individuals, provided costs fall significantly and they are integrated into a wider public transport network. However, challenges remain in ensuring door-to-door accessibility and addressing the potential for AVs to become private spaces, raising concerns about passenger safeguarding and the dehumanisation of transport.

Data management and cybersecurity were also key topics. The data-rich nature of AVs presents opportunities for improving safety and understanding urban environments, but also raises concerns about data privacy and the potential for cyber-attacks. The committee emphasized the need for standardized data sharing mechanisms and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure AVs are deployed in a way that benefits London and its residents.

The committee resolved to note the report and discussion, and to delegate authority to the Chair, in consultation with party Group Lead Members, to agree any output arising from the meeting. The committee's work programme and meeting dates were also noted, with the next meeting scheduled for 24 June 2026.