California’s regulators have granted approval to Google’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise to charge fares for fully driverless rides in San Francisco at any time of the day. The decision came after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) evaluated whether the companies met the necessary licensing requirements and heard arguments from the public regarding the expansion.
In a recent announcement, Waymo stated that it will gradually invite more riders to use its service and will soon start charging fares for trips within the city. With 100,000 signups already on its waitlist, Waymo expects high demand and aims to provide a reliable service. The company plans to eventually make its fully autonomous trips available to everyone. Similarly, Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt expressed the company’s commitment to collaborating with regulators to deliver safer, cleaner, and more accessible transportation options.
Thrilled to announce that the California Public Utilities Commission just approved @Cruise for fared operation 24/7 across all of San Francisco!
It’s a huge milestone for the AV industry, but even more importantly a signal to the country that CA prioritizes progress over our…
— Kyle Vogt (@kvogt) August 11, 2023
Currently, Waymo operates 200 autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, while Cruise has a fleet of 300. Prior to receiving CPUC’s approval, Cruise was only able to offer fared rides with a safety driver between 10 PM and 6 AM, and Waymo could only charge passengers with a safety driver present at any time of the day.
According to The San Francisco Standard, the expansion was approved by commission President Alice Reynolds and commissioners Darcie Houck and John Reynolds. However, commissioner Genevieve Shiroma voted against it, expressing concerns about the CPUC’s ability to accurately assess the impact of autonomous vehicles on first responders. This decision marks the final hurdle for the companies to offer 24/7 fared rides throughout the city. The CPUC took into account public concerns regarding the safety of autonomous vehicles, as well as testimonies highlighting the technology’s potential to enhance the independence of the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
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Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
