COTA union to battle buses without drivers

The union representing Central Ohio Transit Authority bus drivers is launching a statewide campaign against driverless vehicles, calling them dangerous and a threat to jobs.

Meanwhile, Smart Columbus will announce Wednesday the provider of the low-speed driverless shuttle that will begin operating along the Scioto Mile in the fall.

During a news event Tuesday on North 3rd Street near the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel, where the AFL-CIO is holding its state convention, Transport Workers Union of America officials said self-driving buses are no replacement for drivers, who can help senior riders and children.

“It makes no sense at any level,” said John Samuelsen, president of the international union, who introduced what the union is calling the People Before Robots campaign.

Andrew Jordan, president of Transport Workers Union Local 208, which represents 870 workers including 700 drivers, said the issue is the safety and security of the community.

“We will fight back,” Samuelsen said. If that means a strike down the road, so be it, he said. The local union currently is in negotiations with COTA. Another negotiating session is scheduled for Thursday, Jordan said.

COTA spokesman Patrick Harris said he couldn’t comment on negotiations.

He did say, “COTA has no pilot program for a driverless bus, whatsoever.”

Smart Columbus’ pilot program for its automated shuttle will take riders to such places as COSI, the National Veterans Memorial and Bicentennial Park. An operator will be on board to take over when necessary. Smart Columbus is partnering with the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio program and Ohio State University on automated research.

Jennifer Fening, Smart Columbus’ senior manager for marketing and communication, said the deployment will be in three phases. That will include testing in other parts of the city.