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Despite suspension in February, CPUC approves Waymo’s expansion plans.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has granted Waymo permission to expand its robotaxi operations to Los Angeles and additional locations in the San Francisco Peninsula, despite facing opposition from local groups and government agencies. According to the regulator’s decision (PDF), Waymo is authorized to begin fared driverless passenger service operations in the specified areas effective immediately. This decision allows Waymo to charge passengers for their robotaxi rides, marking a significant milestone for the company.
Waymo has been actively testing its driverless vehicles in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Peninsula for some time now. However, this recent approval from the CPUC enables Waymo to fully commercialize its services in these areas. It should be noted that Waymo will adopt an incremental approach to deploying its service in Los Angeles and currently has no immediate plans to expand in San Francisco, according to Waymo spokesperson Julia Ilina.
The CPUC’s decision comes after the agency suspended Waymo’s expansion efforts in February for up to 120 days. This suspension was a response to Waymo’s vehicle recall announcement, which revealed that two of its robotaxis had collided with a pickup truck due to incorrect software predictions. Waymo has since developed and deployed a fix to its fleet to address the issue.
The expansion faced opposition from various organizations and government bodies, 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. These groups expressed concerns about the deployment of autonomous vehicles in their jurisdictions and the potential impact on public safety and local communities.
LA Mayor Karen Bass sent a letter to the CPUC expressing her concerns about the decision, stating that local jurisdictions like Los Angeles have had limited input in autonomous vehicle deployment and have already experienced significant harm and disruption. Similarly, David Canepa, vice president for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, criticized the CPUC’s quick reversal on the suspension, stating that it shows a disregard for local concerns and public safety.
Despite the opposition, Waymo’s expansion received support from 81 organizations and individuals, including groups advocating for the elderly, people with disabilities, local community councils, and transportation advocates. Waymo remains committed to working closely with city officials, local communities, and its partners to address any concerns and ensure the safe and successful deployment of its robotaxi service.