Waymo Seeks Approval to Expand Autonomous Taxi Service in Bay Area

Waymo seeks expansion of driverless taxi service in South Bay and Peninsula

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, is moving forward with its plan to expand its robotaxi service into new regions of the Bay Area, specifically the South Bay and Peninsula areas. The company, which has already become a familiar name in San Francisco, is now seeking approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to begin charging passengers for rides in these expanded zones. The company filed an Advice Letter with the CPUC in March, initiating the formal process for public responses, which has since closed. Waymo is now awaiting a decision from the commission on whether it will be granted permission to charge fares in these areas.

In San Francisco, Waymo’s autonomous taxis have become a common sight, offering driverless rides to passengers across the city. The company has been granted approval by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to operate in driverless mode, but to begin commercial operations—charging customers for the rides—it requires additional regulatory approval from the CPUC. This process is part of the broader framework for managing autonomous vehicle services in the state, with safety and public concerns being closely monitored.

Waymo's plans for expansion include potentially offering rides in the South Bay and Peninsula regions, with the possibility of serving key locations such as the San Jose Mineta International Airport. In August and September of 2024, Waymo conducted mapping and testing operations at the San Jose airport, though no commercial rides have been offered there yet. The airport has confirmed that while Waymo has not formally requested a ground transportation permit, the company has been actively testing in the area.

A Waymo spokesperson expressed optimism about the potential for expansion, noting that the company is eager to extend the benefits of its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One, to more residents in the Bay Area. The service, which was made available to the public in Silicon Valley last month, is seen as a promising alternative to traditional taxi services, with the added advantage of being fully autonomous.

Representative Sam Liccardo, who is a vocal supporter of Waymo’s expansion in the region, highlighted the benefits of autonomous ride-hailing. At a town hall meeting in Los Gatos, Liccardo stated:

"We’ve seen millions of trips now, this is pretty familiar stuff, we’re in Silicon Valley after all, I think folks get it pretty easily."
While Liccardo acknowledged that the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles would not immediately resolve all traffic congestion issues, he emphasized that adding more transportation options, including Waymo’s robotaxis, could alleviate some of the pressure on public transit systems, especially during major events.

However, not all feedback has been entirely positive. San Jose resident Jim Zito expressed concerns about the impact of robotaxis in highly congested areas. He stated:

"For times of the day when it's very congested or in parts of the city where it's very congested, I’m not sure it's going to be the best choice."
While Zito acknowledged that autonomous vehicles have made significant progress in recent years, he noted that they still have room for improvement in terms of navigating dense traffic conditions.

Waymo’s expansion plan is a significant step in the development of autonomous transportation networks. With the support of local leaders and organizations, and the pending approval from the CPUC, the company is poised to become a more prominent player in the transportation landscape of the Bay Area. As Waymo continues its journey toward full commercialization, the company faces the challenge of balancing technological advancements with the complex regulatory and public safety concerns that come with operating autonomous vehicles in urban environments.