--- title: "US transit systems consider driverless trains" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/us-transit-systems-consider-driverless-trains" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-transit-systems-consider-driverless-trains" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/us-transit-systems-consider-driverless-trains.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-transit-systems-consider-driverless-trains" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-24T17:05:15.137Z" source_reported: "2026-10-24T16:46:26.000Z" updated: "2026-10-24T17:05:15.137Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 59 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-24T17:00:13.845766+00:00" --- # US transit systems consider driverless trains *Washington D.C. and Los Angeles are advancing plans for automated subway systems, while Honolulu already operates one.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. One full report and 25 digests were provided, with claims attributed to named individuals and organizations. - Craft 59 of 100, higher is better. The report includes quotes from affected parties and experts, and separates fact from opinion. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline uses a quote to create interest, but the article provides substantial detail. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Washington D.C. and Los Angeles are moving forward with plans to implement automated subway systems. - Honolulu currently operates a driverless light metro transit system named Skyline. - The push for automation faces debate regarding safety risks, potential long-term savings, and the US's lag in adopting such technology compared to other countries. - A 2009 crash on the D.C. Red Line, blamed on a faulty automated signaling system, previously halted automation efforts. Plans are advancing in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles to introduce automated subway systems, while Honolulu already operates a driverless light metro. The potential shift towards running trains without human operators is prompting discussions about the technology's benefits and drawbacks. Proponents argue that the U.S. lags behind other nations in adopting transit automation, citing numerous examples in Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia, South America, and the Middle East. Critics, however, raise concerns about safety and the potential consequences of system failures. ## Disagreements on automation's impact Baruch Feigenbaum of the Reason Foundation advocates for transit automation, stating that the U.S. transit sector is slow to innovate. He suggests that fixed-rail systems are easier to automate than on-road vehicles. Conversely, John Samuelsen of the Transport Workers Union opposes automation, calling it 'a catastrophe waiting to happen' and warning of potential disasters if passengers must self-evacuate a system with a third rail. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority CEO Randy Clarke acknowledged that a 2009 fatal crash on the D.C. Red Line, attributed to a faulty automated signaling system, had previously 'paralyzed' the transit authority's automation plans, though he stated the current system is different and highly regulated. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated digests mention the estimated cost of nearly $1 billion for Washington D.C.'s Red Line upgrade, a figure reported in the full report from Washington Top News. ## Who covered it Shares of the 25 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 44% (11) - Centre: 44% (11) - Right: 12% (3) 1 of 26 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-24T17:00:13.845766+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-24T17:15:58.934Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports highlighted Honolulu's existing driverless Skyline system as an example of successful automation. They noted that while automated vehicles like robotaxis are becoming more common, most U.S. transit systems still rely on human operators. These reports mentioned that automation has lagged behind Europe, but some cities are now considering it. The potential for automation to open floodgates for other cities was also a point of emphasis. The 2009 Fort Totten crash on the D.C. Red Line, blamed on a faulty automated signaling system, was noted as a past impediment to automation efforts. The reports included statements from Baruch Feigenbaum of the Reason Foundation, who advocates for transit automation, and John Samuelsen of the Transport Workers Union, who opposes it. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the plans by Washington D.C. and Los Angeles to advance automated subway systems, noting that Honolulu already operates such a system. They detailed the debate surrounding the safety risks and benefits of automated trains, as well as the upfront expense versus long-term labor cost savings. The reports cited Baruch Feigenbaum of the Reason Foundation, who stated that the U.S. transit world is slow to innovate and lags behind other countries. The 2009 Fort Totten crash on the D.C. Red Line, attributed to a faulty automated signaling system, was mentioned as a past factor that 'paralyzed' automation plans, though officials noted the current system is different. Union opposition, voiced by John Samuelsen of the Transport Workers Union, was also included. The potential for automation to signal technological feasibility for other cities was highlighted. ### Right - Right-rated reports noted that while automated vehicles are becoming more prevalent, most U.S. transit systems still require a driver or operator. They mentioned that two major cities are seeking to change this. The reports indicated that automation has lagged behind other regions, but some cities are now considering it. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 10 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 13 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Chicago Tribune](https://chicagotribune.com/2026/10/24/us-transit-system-robo-operators) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/49744a493a3fc747) — ‘The transit world is where innovation goes to die’ — The U.S. lags far behind on using driverless trains, but new projects could open the floodgates - [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/10/24/transit-innovation-driverless-trains-subways-monorail-people-movers) — 'The transit world is where innovation goes to die' — The U.S. lags far behind on using driverless trains, but new projects could open the floodgates - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/11248565/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/24/trains-without-humans-controls-us-transit-systems-weigh-options) — Trains without humans at the controls? Some U.S. transit systems weigh their options - [Wral News](https://wral.com/news/ap/dd55e-some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls – WTOP News - [Marietta Daily Journal](https://mdjonline.com/news/national/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_89193b0a-588a-5eba-9a8d-fca8464466f6.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Kokomo Tribune](https://kokomotribune.com/news/nation_world_news/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_b50fe685-e456-5327-83af-0829b1bf9258.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Weatherford Democrat](https://weatherforddemocrat.com/texas/sports/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_8ab20a99-dcb0-56fc-9fd9-dbb81890683b.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Santa Maria Times](https://santamariatimes.com/ap/business/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_b376be4f-2dde-5aa2-a145-f6f9b7ce4467.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Beloit Daily News](https://beloitdailynews.com/news/national-news/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_7804cc3a-7cb1-5981-b97d-493453b0dda0.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [The Batesville Daily Guard](https://guardonline.com/news/national/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_fc41ca16-95ca-5cb6-8b0a-cd20c0cdf10b.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [union-bulletin.com](https://union-bulletin.com/news/national/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_7fae9c24-32e0-5d13-bc79-6335c80cab84.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/honolulu-los-angeles-detroit-david-king-nasa-b3072686.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/automated-driverless-transit-dc-la-honolulu-dd55ecec4b5c9779fbaa3e43b247e0ce) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/honolulu-los-angeles-detroit-david-king-nasa-b3072686.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Technology/wireStory/us-transit-systems-weigh-run-trains-human-controls-137535314) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/business/2026/10/24/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [The Record](https://therecord.com/business/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_86d34ec8-8e33-59b1-8696-1eaf59267b28.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/business/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_753ee520-61fe-52ab-9e26-74d78abec44b.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/business/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls/article_47d42851-49e5-506e-9e52-d8a5b52c0c58.html) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/sci-tech/2026/10/24/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/some-us-transit-systems-weigh-whether-to-run-trains-without-a-human-at-the-controls) — Some US transit systems weigh whether to run trains without a human at the controls ## Questions **Which US cities are planning automated subway systems?** Washington D.C. and Los Angeles are advancing plans to implement automated subway systems. Honolulu already operates a driverless light metro transit system called Skyline, which began service three years ago. **What is the history of automation issues in US transit?** A 2009 crash on the D.C. Red Line was blamed on a faulty automated signaling system, which led to the deactivation of automated features. While these were restored in recent years, the incident significantly impacted past automation efforts. **What are the arguments for and against transit automation?** Supporters argue that the US lags in transit automation and that fixed-rail systems are easier to automate, potentially leading to long-term savings. Critics, such as union representatives, warn of safety risks and potential disasters if systems fail and passengers must evacuate. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/us-transit-systems-consider-driverless-trains. 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