COTA union warning riders about driverless buses

Members of the agency's union distributed flyers Wednesday afternoon, warning riders about the "dangers" of commuting on driverless buses.

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March 29, 2018

COTA union warning riders about driverless buses — COTA Union members fear job losses, as autonomous technology would eliminate the need for a human driver. Photo: COTA/Gillig

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COTA Union members fear job losses, as autonomous technology would eliminate the need for a human driver. Photo: COTA/Gillig

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Members of the Unionized Central Ohio Transit Authority distributed flyers Wednesday afternoon, warning riders about the "dangers" of commuting on driverless buses, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

A member of Transport Workers Union Local 208, which represents 872 COTA employees, told the Dispatch that their goal was to educate riders on the dangers associated with autonomous technology, citing the recent death of a pedestrian in Tempe, Ariz., after she was struck by a self-driving Uber car as an example.

Union workers also fear job losses, as the autonomous technology eliminated the need for a human driver, according to the report.

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Topics:autonomous vehicles COTA driverless technology passenger safety unions Bus Technology Security and Safety New Mobility

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