Despite local concerns about the impact of Waymo driverless taxis operating in San Mateo County, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the company’s request for a commercial expansion here.
Last month, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors expressed concern about a proposed expansion, particularly around the lack of input it has been able to provide throughout the process and especially in light of traffic and emergency situations the vehicles have caused or exacerbated in San Francisco. During the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13, Supervisor David Canepa introduced a resolution supporting Senate Bill 915, introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, which would allow jurisdictions to pass ordinances regulating the robotaxis.
Canepa was less than pleased by Friday’s ruling.
“I thought the CPUC gave us 120 days to sit down with Waymo and discuss our concerns here in San Mateo County. I’m confused and a bit suspicious that the CPUC took only 11 days to change its mind on the suspension,” Canepa said in a statement. “I find this to be egregious and disingenuous. We have had no talks to address our concerns and it says to me that neither Waymo nor the CPUC care about local concerns over the public safety of our residents.”
Canepa said that’s why he supports SB 915 by Cortese.
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“We need some local control over how robotaxis operate in the county because we know our roads and highways the best,” Canepa said.
It was recently revealed that the PUC was delaying the approval for 120 days, but a communications representative from the PUC said such letters are to give staff more time for review and that the 120 days is a ceiling not a floor.
In January, the California Department of Motor Vehicles approved the Mountain View-based firm’s proposal to deploy cars within large swaths of San Mateo County and was waiting on the OK from the California Public Utilities Commission. While the vehicles have been on the Peninsula since about 2021, the move to secure commercial operations signals a heavier presence of the cars in the near future, and it would be one of the only parts of the country where Waymo could operate its driverless cars, apart from San Francisco and Phoenix. Los Angeles and Austin will also deploy the robotaxis in the near future, according to the firm’s website.
In a post on X, Waymo said the decision wouldn’t have been possible without the support of its riders, community partners and policymakers.
“We’re grateful to the [California Public Utilities Commission] for this vote of confidence in our operations, which paves the way for the deployment of our commercial Waymo One service in LA and the SF Peninsula,” it said.
Perhaps Canepa can provide free traffic cones to San Mateo County residents so we can place them on the hoods of Waymo taxis. Also, shouldn’t Canepa verify Waymo has plenty of liability insurance, for the inevitable accidents that will occur, and hopefully with no deaths or critical injuries?
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Perhaps Canepa can provide free traffic cones to San Mateo County residents so we can place them on the hoods of Waymo taxis. Also, shouldn’t Canepa verify Waymo has plenty of liability insurance, for the inevitable accidents that will occur, and hopefully with no deaths or critical injuries?
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.