Robotaxi Companies Given Green Light To Operate Cabs 24/7 In San Francisco

Google’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise have just secured regulatory approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to introduce fare charges for fully driverless rides in San Francisco. The CPUC’s decision, which passed with a majority vote of 3 to 1, marks a pivotal milestone in advancing autonomous transportation services.

Since 2018, Waymo has operated a fleet of 200 autonomous vehicles throughout San Francisco, while in 2022, Cruise popped up onto the scene and currently has 300 cars on its roster. Before the CPUC’s approval, Cruise was restricted to offering fared passenger rides in specific areas between 10 and six a.m. without a safety driver on board. In contrast, Waymo’s operational model allowed them to charge passengers at any time with a safety driver present.

Waymo has also stated that it is ready to start incrementally welcoming new riders to its services, and it apparently has 100,000 people already on its waiting list.

The CPUC’s decision to greenlight the expansion has unlocked the potential for 24/7 fared rides across San Francisco. According to The San Francisco Standard, the commission’s president Alice Reynolds and commissioners Darcie Houck and John Reynolds collectively voted in favor of the expansion, while Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma stood in opposition. Shiroma’s stance was rooted in the contention that the CPUC’s evaluation lacked adequate information to thoroughly assess autonomous vehicles’ implications on first responders.

Throughout the decision-making process, public concerns regarding the safety of autonomous vehicles were considered. Furthermore, testimonies emphasizing the technology’s potential benefits for older people and individuals with disabilities played a vital role in shaping the final verdict.

According to Mashable, citizens of the city have been concerned for various reasons, including the safety of pedestrians and other traffic concerns. An anti-car activist group, Safe Street Rebel, has even led protests against the insurgence of AVs.

[via Mashable and USA TODAY, cover photo 176000441© Andreistanescu| Dreamstime.com]