Pros:
~3 min wait time
Pollution cut 300%
Traffic cut 300%Cons:
You might have to share a ride
It might take an extra minute en route for other passengers
11,000 taxi drivers will be out of a job.But considering that autonomous cars are already on their way, this might well be a glimpse into the future of public transit in urban areas.
More than 11,000, if one were to count those who service these cabs as well as medallion owners.
This is exactly the example of capitalism’s “creative destruction”.
Variables not counted here: less traffic and cheaper rides would lead to more people would forgo mass transit, meaning – more traffic, and the need for more of these autonomous cars, obviating the pros above. Whoever owns and operates them will get ever richer. Meaning, more inequality.
Furthermore, with more efficient way to reach areas currently poorly served by mass transit, there will be gentrification of areas that are currently “safe” from it.
But here, self driving cars would have to compete with licensed and unlicensed “dollar vans” which may yet remain cheaper and more efficient.
And the time to prepare for all that is now.
All 14,000 NYC Taxis Could Be Replaced with 3,000 Rideshare Cars
tinfoilparachute 