The Transport Committee of the Greater London Authority Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday 24 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on autonomous passenger vehicles in London and the committee's work programme.

Autonomous Passenger Vehicles in London

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to be dedicated to the topic of autonomous passenger vehicles (CAVs) in London. The committee will receive background information on CAVs, which are vehicles capable of driving themselves without human input, utilising digital data transmission and automation technologies. The primary legislation governing these vehicles is the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.

There are differing views on the safety benefits of widespread autonomous vehicle deployment. Proponents suggest that autonomous cars are less prone to accidents, while sceptics argue that direct comparisons with human-driven vehicles are misleading and that autonomous vehicles have not yet accumulated sufficient mileage to definitively assess their safety performance.

Arguments in favour of autonomous passenger vehicles often highlight their potential to boost the economy and attract international investment. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on the livelihoods of over 380,000 licensed private hire and taxi drivers. Transport for London (TfL) has previously published position statements and guidance for CAV trials, emphasising the need for a safer, more efficient, and accessible road network, alongside achieving air quality and carbon reduction targets, and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. The Mayor's Transport Strategy warns that increased car use due to autonomous vehicles could lead to reduced walking in neighbourhoods, with a central aim of 80 per cent of all trips in London being made by active travel or public transport by 2041. TfL has confirmed that CAV trips will be counted as car journeys.

The committee is scheduled to hear from invited guests, including Professor Siddartha Khastgir from the University of Warwick, Rebecca Posner from the Research Institute for Disabled Consumer, and Tom Bogdanowicz from Living Streets, who will likely discuss the potential impact of autonomous passenger vehicles on other road users, particularly vulnerable individuals. A second panel will include representatives from Waymo and Lyft/Freenow, who are expected to discuss their plans for launching services in London.

Transport Committee Work Programme

The committee will also review its work programme for the 2026/27 Assembly year. This programme is designed to help the committee fulfil its role in examining and reporting on transport matters in London and scrutinising the Mayor's Transport Strategy.

As part of the work programme, the committee is expected to authorise the Chief Officer to engage an external recruitment agency to assist with the recruitment of the London TravelWatch Board. This exercise is necessary as the terms of office for two Board Members will end on 31 December 2026, and the Chair of London TravelWatch wishes to establish a Deputy Chair position. The estimated cost for engaging a recruitment agency is up to £50,000, with funds anticipated to be met from Assembly reserves. The Chief Officer will also be authorised to manage the recruitment process up to the final interview and appointment stage, in consultation with the Transport Committee's party Group Lead Members. The final appointment decisions will be made by the Transport Committee, following consultation with the Secretary of State for Transport.

The committee's schedule of meetings for the upcoming year is also set to be noted, with the next meeting scheduled for 14 July 2026.

Declarations of Interests

The committee will receive a report detailing offices held by Assembly Members, which are to be noted as disclosable pecuniary interests. Members will also be required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in specific agenda items and any other relevant interests, including gifts and hospitality received. The report outlines the legal requirements for declaring interests, referencing Paragraph 11 of the Code of Conduct and the Localism Act 2011, which stipulate that failure to comply without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. Members are reminded of their responsibility to consider whether their interests could prejudice their judgement of the public interest and to act accordingly.

Summary List of Actions

A summary list of ongoing actions arising from previous meetings of the Transport Committee will be presented for noting. This includes updates on various matters previously discussed, such as information requested from Transport for London (TfL) regarding step-free station access, the 2025 Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, electric bus axle weight impacts, cycle lane placement, Superloop capacity, toilet facilities on bus routes, bus air conditioning, the Bus Drivers' Bill of Rights, Central Line safety trials, TfL's consultation response on automated vehicles, the Victoria line upgrade, and actions taken to reduce road fatalities. Further actions relate to traffic reduction, the reasons for car usage, TfL's engagement on bus changes, the calculation of switchable trips, van and cargo bike usage, the use of canals for freight, the impact of reducing road space on motorcycle deaths, collision analysis involving motorcycles, reasons for declining bus ridership, and measures to mitigate the impact of increased bus journey times on driver welfare. The list also includes information on traffic light switch-off trials, congestion around road works, TfL's measurement of people throughput, road and pavement space allocation, freight vehicle access to bus lanes, the use of penalty charge notice data for kerbside demand management, 24-hour bus lanes, and the net change in bus lanes across London.