The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has given Waymo permission to expand its robotaxi operations to Los Angeles and more locations on the San Francisco Peninsula despite opposition from local groups and government agencies. “Waymo may begin fare-based driverless passenger service operations in specific areas of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Peninsula, beginning today,” the regulator wrote in its decision (PDF). As CNBC As he points out, Waymo has been testing its driverless vehicles in those locations for a while now, but this move will allow it to charge passengers for their robotaxi rides.
In the CPUC's decision, it admitted that it received letters of protest regarding Waymo's expansion from the city of South San Francisco, San Mateo County, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the San County Transportation Authority Francisco and the San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance. . And he received those letters before the agency suspended Waymo's expansion efforts in February for up to 120 days following the Alphabet-owned company's revelation that it had issued a recall for its vehicles. Waymo reported at the time that two of its robotaxis collided with a rear-facing pickup truck that was being towed in December 2023 because its software incorrectly predicted the truck's movements. The company had to develop and implement a solution for its fleet.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, formerly sent a letter to the CPUC (PDF), expressing concern about the regulator's decision to allow autonomous vehicles to operate in their city. “To date, local jurisdictions like Los Angeles have had little to no involvement in AV deployment and are already experiencing significant damage and disruption,” he wrote. David Canepa, vice president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, also said in a statement regarding this recent development: “I am confused and a little suspicious that it took only 11 days for the CPUC to change its mind about the suspension. I find this egregious and untrue. We have had no conversations to address our concerns and it says” To me, neither Waymo nor the CPUC care about local concerns and the public safety of our residents.”
However, Waymo spokesperson Julia Ilina assures the public in a statement to cabling that the company will take an “incremental approach” to rolling out the service in Los Angeles. It also has no “immediate plans” to expand its service in San Francisco. Additionally, he said Waymo will continue to “work closely with city officials, local communities and (its) partners.” Ilina also noted that while the CPUC received letters of protest, it also received letters of support for Waymo's expansion from 81 organizations and individuals. They include letters from various senior and disability groups, local community councils and transportation advocates.
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