Riders resist driverless technologies in Chicagoland

Chicagoans have good things to say about Metra’s frontline employees, but the same can’t be said for the use of automated or driverless technology.  

The results of a recent survey conducted in the Greater Chicago area by an independent third party found that 83% of people have a favorable opinion of Metra (44% “excellent” and 39% “good”). This is due in large part to the work that’s done by SMART-TD transit union members: Metra’s conductors, ticket collectors, and other frontline workers. 

Of this same surveyed group, 67% oppose (with strong opposition clocking in at 51%) the use of automated or driverless technology on freight trains. This is the same level of strong opposition against the use of the driverless Uber services and slightly higher than private vehicles, which sits at 49%. 

When it comes to driverless freight trucks, the opposition is even higher.  

75% of people are somewhat or strongly against driverless freight trucks on highways, and 81% of people are somewhat or strongly against having them on city streets.  

The robots aren’t coming for drivers’ jobs (yet)

Headlines may tout the popularity of driverless technology, but the numbers don’t lie—opposition to driverless technology is high.  

55% of people have a “somewhat” or “very” unfavorable view of driverless technology.  
 
In addition to eliminating jobs (some of which are done by SMART-TD members), safety risks also increase without a driver present to operate the vehicle.  

It’s clear that riders feel safer and more secure when trains and other modes of mass transit are manned by a person rather than under the sole control of a computer or other mode of technology.  

SMART-TD will continue protecting our members’ essential jobs from being eliminated by automated technology and ensuring that the riding public is safe while using these critical services.  

Click to view the results of the Chicagoland transit survey ►