California Regulators Approve Unrestricted Robotaxi Expansion in San Francisco
The California Public Utilities Commission votes 3-1 to allow Cruise and Waymo to operate driverless ride-hailing services without limits across San Francisco, despite strong safety objections from city first responders.
The California Public Utilities Commission gives Cruise and Waymo unrestricted access to San Francisco streets for their driverless ride-hailing services after a marathon six-and-a-half-hour public hearing. This controversial 3-1 vote means the city expects hundreds or even thousands more self-driving cars to pick up and drop off fee-paying passengers at all hours.
Commissioner Genevieve Shirona stands as the lone dissenting vote, arguing that the companies fail to provide adequate plans to prevent their vehicles from interfering with emergency scenes. Her objection follows strong testimony from San Francisco police and firefighters, who highlight 55 logged incidents over the last year and a half where robotaxis block fire trucks, abruptly move toward firefighters, or run over fire hoses.
Public opinion at the hearing remains sharply divided, with supporters and critics packing the auditorium to share their views. While some residents and disability advocates raise serious concerns about safety, job losses, and accessibility, several labor unions—including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and SEIU Local 87—speak in favor of the expansion, citing potential new jobs in vehicle servicing and maintenance.