Photo: Waymo
The CPUC has authorized the companies to expand their robotaxi services.
Google’s autonomous vehicle division, Waymo, and General Motors’ subsidiary, Cruise, have received approval from California regulators to charge fares for fully driverless rides in San Francisco at any time of the day. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 3 to 1 in favor of expanding the companies’ driverless services after assessing their compliance with licensing requirements and considering public feedback.
Waymo plans to gradually increase the number of riders using its service and will start charging fares for rider-only trips in the city in the coming weeks. The company has already amassed 100,000 signups on its waitlist and anticipates high demand. Waymo intends to prioritize providing a reliable service and aims to make fully autonomous trips available to everyone over time. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt expressed the company’s commitment to collaborating with regulators to ensure the delivery of safer, cleaner, and more accessible transportation options.
Currently, Waymo operates 200 autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, while Cruise has a fleet of 300. Prior to CPUC’s approval, Cruise could only offer fare-based passenger rides within limited areas of San Francisco from 10 PM to 6 AM without a safety driver, and paid rides with a safety driver at any time. Waymo, on the other hand, could only charge passengers at any time of the day if a safety driver was present.
The expansion decision, reported by The San Francisco Standard, was supported by CPUC President Alice Reynolds and commissioners Darcie Houck and John Reynolds. However, commissioner Genevieve Shiroma opposed the decision, citing insufficient information to accurately assess the impact of autonomous vehicles on emergency responders. The approval represents the final regulatory hurdle for the companies to offer 24/7 fare-based rides throughout the city. The CPUC’s decision took into consideration public concerns regarding the safety of autonomous vehicles and testimonies highlighting the technology’s potential to enhance independence for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.