BOSTON — In a move that could only happen in Michelle Wu’s Boston, the City Council is now considering requiring all self-driving cars to include a… human driver.

Councilor Henry Santana (at-large) unveiled the idea this week, proposing that autonomous vehicles like Waymo robotaxis be staffed with licensed “human safety operators” — essentially defeating the entire point of the technology.

“This is not anti-technology,” Santana claimed. “This is pro worker, pro safety, and pro Boston.”

But critics say it’s really pro-union, anti-innovation, and anti-consumer.

While cities like Phoenix and Austin are embracing fully autonomous rides — with no drivers, no tipping, and no delays — Boston is trying to force 21st-century tech to behave like it’s 2005. Santana’s plan would require companies to hire human operators just to sit in the front seat “in case” something goes wrong, even though these vehicles are built to operate independently and safely under constant monitoring from centralized systems.

And let’s be honest: that added cost isn’t coming out of Waymo’s pocket. It’s coming out of yours.

Robotaxis are supposed to offer cheaper rides, better efficiency, and 24/7 service. But under this plan? Expect fewer vehicles, longer waits, and higher fares — all to appease a political class obsessed with appearing “pro-worker” even if it means dragging Boston backwards.

The proposal is now in committee, but it already reeks of desperation. With the rise of autonomous fleets nationwide, Boston’s progressive political class seems more interested in protecting turf than embracing tech. Santana, a close ally of Mayor Wu, has staked his re-election hopes on performative progressivism — even when it directly hurts riders, consumers, and the city’s image.

Boston used to lead on innovation. Now we’re the city asking robots to please step aside so a union-backed human can take the wheel.

If this is the future, we’re driving in reverse.