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I think it would positively impact lower classes because car ownership is by far the biggest financial drain you can take on.

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Only if there's affordable transportation available.

There's a large percent of people who have their daily commute possible by public transport, but the weekend or odd trips are not well covered. A cheaper uber powered by self driving would cover the odd trips and save people the massive expense of owning a car.

The main problem I see with this argument is that I'm not sure how we get to a "cheaper uber" with fully autonomous vehicles.

A large percentage of rideshare drivers use the cheapest allowable vehicles and make minimum wage or less after expenses.

There is also the issue of who gets paid to clean the garbage passengers will inevitably leave in the autonomous vehicle (ask me how I know). Or worse, vomit or other hazardous bodily excretions.

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