Waymo Gains Final Approval to Launch Paid Driverless Rides in San Francisco
Waymo officially receives its driverless deployment permit from California regulators, allowing the company to charge fares for its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in San Francisco. The company plans to gradually welcome new riders from its massive waitlist to ensure service reliability.
Waymo receives its final driverless deployment permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, allowing the company to launch paid, fully autonomous ride-hailing services in San Francisco. This regulatory approval marks the official beginning of commercial operations for the robotaxi service, which previously operates as a free rider-only program since late 2022.
The company starts charging fares for trips without a human driver behind the wheel and gradually welcomes new riders from a waitlist that exceeds 100,000 people. By scaling up incrementally, Waymo ensures that the system remains reliable while managing the incredibly high demand for autonomous transportation across the city.
Riders access the service across all of San Francisco, spanning neighborhoods from Bernal Heights to Fisherman's Wharf. Waymo One currently completes over 10,000 weekly public rides without human drivers in both San Francisco and Phoenix, providing residents with a safe and accessible mode of daily transportation.