Liza Ramsey of the Atlanta Rideshare Drivers Union seeks robotaxi impact fees to support drivers facing automation
Liza Ramsey of the Atlanta Rideshare Drivers Union is advocating for a robotaxi impact fee to mitigate the economic effects of autonomous vehicles on human drivers. The union claims that since Waymo began offering robotaxi services in Atlanta in June 2025, drivers have reported lower pay, longer waits between rides, and fewer fares. To address these issues, Liza Ramsey proposed a robotaxi impact fee of $0.50 to $1.00 per ride to be added to each trip, which would fund a "driver transition fund" for job training and assistive programs. While the union lacks consolidated data to prove the decline in income, Liza Ramsey cited widespread complaints from drivers. The union also wants to ban robotaxis from picking up passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Currently, Georgia state law pre-empts local regulation of and per-vehicle fees, making many of the union's preferred remedies difficult to implement. Waymo has countered by proposing a $20 million support fund for displaced drivers and highlighting the creation of new roles in fleet maintenance and operations.