Exactly. And self driving cars cannot even come anywhere near close to the capacity of the trains, which need desperate renovation. NYC needs to dump money into new rail stock, new rail, tunnel renovation and a massive Penn Station overhaul. Those will be more valuable two decades from now over self driver cars. Personally I think self driving cars will be a no-start in NYC. I doubt one will make it more than three months in the city before killing someone.

You don't see any reason?

* I've seen research that indicates there are fewer drunk driving fatalities, when things like Uber are available in a town. I would imagine self-driving cars would follow that same trend.

* I would guess that more people able to stay out late, drinking and spending money.

* I've heard that with 10% of traffic being self-driving that it reduces overall traffic congestion. That sounds great.

* Potentially reducing the demand for parking, which increases the supply for development (which yields more tax income for the city)

* Potentially makes longer commutes more palatable, allowing people to work farther away from home, which eases housing costs.

* Easier tourism.

* Easier access for the disabled.

Those seem like good reasons, in favor.

>I don't see any reason for New York to permit them

If the right people donate the right amount to the right things they will be permitted. This is how government in NYC works.