Waymo Gains Final Permit to Launch Paid Driverless Ride-Hailing 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 onboard new riders gradually from a waitlist of over 100,000 people.
Waymo receives its driverless deployment permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, marking the final regulatory step needed to launch paid, fully autonomous ride-hailing services in San Francisco. This milestone allows the company to transition from offering free rider-only trips to charging fares as it begins official commercial operations in the city.
The company currently serves over 10,000 weekly rides across San Francisco and Phoenix without a human behind the wheel, and it plans to expand access gradually to manage high demand. With more than 100,000 people on the waitlist, Waymo is onboarding new riders incrementally to ensure a reliable experience as it opens its service citywide.
Riders gain access to fully autonomous transportation across all of San Francisco, spanning neighborhoods from Bernal Heights to Fisherman's Wharf. Local riders already praise the service for its safety benefits, noting that the autonomous vehicles protect not only passengers but also pedestrians, bicyclists, and other residents navigating the busy city streets.