Boston weighs clampdown on driverless taxis in threat to Waymo

(Bloomberg/Greg Ryan) — Boston city councilors are proposing an ordinance that would require Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo and other autonomous ride-share services to have a human operator present in the vehicle.

The legislation would mandate a study on the technology’s effects on the employment of current ride-share drivers and prohibit self-driving cars from operating in Boston until that’s been completed and other permitting requirements are established. Even then, the cars wouldn’t be allowed to operate unless a human safety operator is inside the vehicle and able to intervene, according to the proposed ordinance.

The restrictions are up for possible action at a meeting on Wednesday, though councilors said there are likely to be more hearings on the legislation before it comes to a full vote