Google’s Waymo, Cruise can expand in San Francisco

California regulators have voted in favor of expanding the paid driverless services of robotaxi operators in San Francisco, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards commercializing this technology.

The state’s Public Utilities Commission voted 3 to 1 in favor of allowing General Motors Co’s Cruise LLC and Alphabet Inc’s Waymo to expand the areas in which they can operate a car without a safety driver and charge passengers for it.

During a meeting in San Francisco on Thursday, the commission listened to hours of public testimony both for and against the expansion of Waymo and Cruise’s services. Waymo currently operates a fleet of approximately 200 cars in the city, while Cruise has 300 cars across San Francisco, Austin, and Phoenix. These services are currently limited in terms of where they can operate, and the companies are typically unable to charge passengers. However, both services have extensive waiting lists of individuals eager to try them.

“This is a huge milestone that enables us to expand Waymo One in SF and continue to serve you,” Waymo said in an emailed statement. Meanwhile, Cruise stated that it will help improve an “unsafe” transportation system and that it will continue to work closely with regulators and other key stakeholders as it expands its service to more people.

Many people who testified at the meeting argued that expanding the services of driverless taxis would particularly benefit those with disabilities. They claimed that human-driven ride-share vehicles often neglect the needs of individuals with physical challenges, such as abruptly stopping at a curb. Testifiers also stated that autonomous taxis would eliminate discrimination in the process of hailing a ride.

“I have experienced rideshare drivers who have left me on the street and refused to open their vehicles. Drivers can discriminate against vulnerable populations, including queer, black, and trans folks, far more than any computer,” said city resident Sean Durkin during the meeting.

Other testifiers argued that expanding autonomous vehicles would make the city’s streets safer. “I never have to guess if Cruise is going to decide to follow traffic rules today,” said San Francisco resident Jason Stafford. “I’m tired of seeing my family put in danger when we have a solution to the danger that human drivers cause.”

On the opposing end, many of those against the expansion of autonomous vehicles expressed concerns about job security, arguing that it would put traditional ride-share app drivers, as well as delivery service workers, at risk. Others focused on the safety and accountability of vehicles operated by companies like Waymo and Cruise.

“I encourage you to think about the 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States and to think that Cruise is currently rolling out delivery vehicles that they call driverless delivery with the express intent of replacing delivery drivers, long-haul truckers, and affecting the livelihood of millions of American families and working people,” said Graham Isom, a city resident, during the testimony.

The decision expands the operating capabilities of Waymo and Cruise vehicles. Prior to this vote, Cruise could only charge a fare in a limited section of the city, while offering a free service that covered almost the entire peninsula. Waymo did not charge a fare in San Francisco.

These resolutions now permit the autonomous vehicles to operate without a human safety driver throughout the entire city of San Francisco, both during the day and at night. – Bloomberg