By eliminating the driver, fully autonomous vehicles promise a future of public transit that is on-demand and point-to-point 24 hours per day, 7 days per week with pricing that should be the same or less than traditional public transit. It also promises to provide accessibility to mobility for all people; regardless of age or ability. Southern Illinois University Assistant Professor of Architecture Shannon McDonald points out that the mainstream automakers are already looking at how they participate in a “mobility as a service” world. In fact, Ford is introducing a mobility as a service offering to their employees as a first step to an eventual service offering:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ford-motor-ridesharing-idUSKBN0TT2VD20151210#LykDyXi63u6qPsqe.97
Finally, Alain Kornhauser hints at some of the fun things people will be able to do when they no longer have to worry about being behind a steering wheel.