San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance to protest expansion of driverless car fleets
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance is planning a protest at the headquarters of the California Public Utilities Commission on Monday against the expansion of autonomous vehicle fleets in the city.
Taxi drivers and their supporters hope to stop the commission from lifting current restrictions and allowing Waymo and Cruise to offer driverless commercial passenger service 24/7 anywhere in the city.
The commission, which is responsible for regulations of autonomous vehicles or AVs, has called a meeting Monday to discuss AV interference with first responders and is set to vote on granting expanded operations Thursday.
“Taxi drivers are the canaries in the coal mine in the coming AI onslaught,” Mark Gruberg, a member of the Executive Board of the San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance, said in a statement Saturday. “Our jobs may go first, but yours could be next.”
Also Read: Activists hit San Francisco streets, use orange cones to thwart robotaxis
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which has urged the state to collect more data before making a decision, estimated last month that more than 90 complaints about driverless cars were reported in both March and April.
As of July 25, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has received 627 Autonomous Vehicle Collision Reports, according to its website.
The transportation agency said the AVs stop in place when confused instead of pulling over; pick up and drop off passengers in traffic lanes and have difficulty understanding things like traffic control officers or construction sites.
The taxi drivers contend that the Cruise and Waymo cars suffer mass breakdowns, create lengthy street blockages, obstruct public transportation and interfere with police and firefighters.
“AV operations are a massive experiment, with the public as guinea pigs,” Gruberg said. “The CPUC is about to bestow a premature approval on an immature technology.”
Taxi drivers say the coming of AVs is especially threatening to those who bought a medallion from the city. A medallion permits an individual or company to operate a taxicab.
“Of the 700 or so medallion purchasers, over 40 percent have already lost their medallions to foreclosure,” Gruberg said. “Once AVs have gained a foothold, the rest may not be far behind.”
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco ready for clear skies, fireworks and big crowds
San Francisco, CA
15-month-old child falls from 3rd-story window in San Francisco, firefighters say
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A 15-month-old child has been taken to the hospital after falling from a third-story building window in San Francisco, firefighters said Wednesday.
Medics responded to the building on the 2300 block of Mission Street and transported the child to the hospital with life-threatening injuries
CPS (Child Protective Services) has been notified of the incident and will be conducting their own investigation.
The fire department did not provide any other details.
The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message SFPD. You may remain anonymous
Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.
Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
San Francisco, CA
Beat the heat: Free public pools in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO – With temperatures at nearly 20 degrees above summer averages in California, the city of San Francisco is making all its public pools free for the heat-weary on Wednesday.
The City – where temps were expected to reach the mid-80s compared to triple-digits inland – has nine public pools.
“It’s important that residents, especially seniors and families with young children, know that there are resources to help them keep cool during excessive heat,” Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg said. “If the heat is getting to you, don’t sweat it. Our pools will be free for anyone looking to chill out.”
San Francisco is closing its pools on Thursday and will reopen them on Friday.
Most pools are open for dipping from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. People can find their pool and its specific hours here.
Typically, it costs $8 to swim at a city pool.
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