Tell Mayor Jacob Frey and the Minneapolis City Council to Pass Workers Drive Minneapolis Ordinance

Commercial autonomous vehicle (AV) companies are beginning to map and test in our city, with plans to provide services here in the fall. Before these companies begin operating commercially, Minneapolis must establish clear rules that protect workers, riders, pedestrians, and our transportation goals. Workers Drive Minneapolis is an ordinance that would establish a city licensing requirement and require a qualified, compensated human safety operator in the driver's seat while commercial AVs provide transportation services.

Commercial autonomous vehicles could have significant consequences for:

• Workers and family economic security. More than 10,000 rideshare drivers are estimated to work in Minnesota, with the vast majority living in the Twin Cities metro. Many are rely on providing driving services as their primary or sole source of income.

• Public safety. Minneapolis needs clear standards and accountability before commercial AV companies operate at scale.

• Transportation and sustainability goals. New technology should complement, not undermine, Minneapolis's goals for a safe, accessible, equitable, and sustainable transportation system.

• Local accountability. Companies operating commercial transportation services in Minneapolis should be subject to meaningful City standards, just as existing rideshare companies are.

This ordinance would protect Minneapolis workers from being displaced by commercial AV companies without appropriate safeguards. And maintain strong local authority to regulate commercial AVs in ways that protect workers, riders, pedestrians, and Minneapolis's transportation, safety, equity, and sustainability goals.

Mayor Jacob Frey and the Minneapolis City Council should pass the Workers Drive Minneapolis ordinance now, before commercial AV companies begin operating in our city.

With recognition that the state may consider broader commercial AV regulations in 2027 addressing issues including traffic safety, infrastructure, sustainability, surveillance, liability, workers' rights, fees, and more.