Waymo, the self-driving technology company under Alphabet, has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to launch its commercial robotaxi service in Los Angeles and San Francisco. This approval marks a significant milestone for Waymo as it can now charge for rides in these expanded areas, including the San Francisco Peninsula and San Francisco freeways. The decision also paves the way for Waymo to operate its service in one of the largest cities in the United States and provides access to San Francisco International Airport.
Waymo has been operating a commercial service in San Francisco since August, offering 24/7 rides throughout the city. Additionally, the company has been providing free driverless rides in certain parts of Los Angeles. However, until now, Waymo was not permitted to charge for rides in Los Angeles. The recent approval from CPUC removes this barrier, allowing Waymo to expand its revenue-generating operations.
The CPUC’s Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division had previously suspended Waymo’s application to expand its robotaxi service in Los Angeles and San Mateo counties for up to 120 days. This suspension aimed to provide additional time for review due to the 81 responses and five protests received by the CPUC. The protests came from various entities, including the city of South San Francisco, the county of San Mateo, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, and the San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance.
Waymo’s community tour of Los Angeles, which began in October, was wrapping up its final neighborhood stop while awaiting final approval from CPUC. The decision came just a day after Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana discussed the company’s future and the autonomous vehicle industry at StrictlyVC LA. Mawakana highlighted the positive reception of Waymo’s robotaxis in Los Angeles, with over 15,000 people already using the service. Trip data revealed that customers were utilizing the service for everyday errands, indicating a strong commercial potential in Los Angeles.
Mawakana also mentioned that 50,000 people have joined the waitlist to use Waymo’s service in Los Angeles, demonstrating the high demand for autonomous rides. She emphasized that Waymo would follow a similar approach to its San Francisco launch, where the service was expanded before charging customers. This strategy allows users to experience the service without payment for several months, enabling Waymo to assess user integration and determine an appropriate price point.
Waymo’s expansion into Los Angeles and San Francisco is a significant step forward for the company and the autonomous vehicle industry as a whole. With approval to charge for rides in these areas, Waymo can further solidify its position as a leader in self-driving technology and continue to gather valuable data and insights to improve its services. As more cities embrace autonomous transportation, Waymo’s presence in major metropolitan areas will undoubtedly shape the future of mobility.